| On December 21st at precisely 7:42 A.M. EST, the | | | | - Carry a supply of "energy food" such as energy |
| sun's rays will strike one of the two tropical | | | | bars, etc., and water. |
| latitude lines, and thus winter will officially begin for | | | | - Keep the fuel tanks as full as possible, especially |
| the Northern Hemisphere. This will also be the | | | | before crossing a mountain pass or similar object. |
| official beginning of "winter driving" for the millions | | | | - Allow extra distance between you and the |
| of truck drivers across our country. This is a time | | | | vehicles ahead of you. |
| when your driving skills can be put to the ultimate | | | | - SLOW DOWN. Adjust your speed appropriatley |
| test, especially for the over the road trucker. | | | | for the road conditions. |
| For the lucky drivers dedicated to running the | | | | - Check the weather forecast ahead of you |
| southern states, etc., winter will not create too | | | | BEFORE you head out. |
| many problems. Those long haulers running all 48 | | | | - Avoid using cruise control. |
| states and finding themselves in the northern | | | | - PLAN AHEAD. Know where truck stops are |
| region, New England states and beyond . . . they | | | | ahead of you on your planned trip, so you can |
| know they are in for a ride! | | | | make the appropriate stop should the weather |
| For years I ran all 48 states plus parts of Canada | | | | turn really bad. |
| and found myself fighting freezing rain, ice and | | | | - If the times comes where tire chains are |
| snow on many occasions. In the Midwest, you will | | | | needed........STOP! |
| do battle with the snow and ice and the howling | | | | Having the right equipment and supplies can make |
| winds that can toss your rig around like a rag doll. | | | | the difference between life and death. Should you |
| I have seen too many rigs laid over on their sides | | | | find yourself stranded on the side of the road in |
| or simply stuck in the wintery conditions, unable | | | | -30 degree temperatures, you will discover that |
| to move. Not only is this a very frustrating time, | | | | even if the rig keeps running, very little heat, if |
| but it can also be a deadly one when we fail to | | | | any, will blow out! It is very important to carry |
| make the right choices. | | | | extra blankets and energy food and water. Keep |
| Truck drivers must prepare accordingly for the | | | | the rig in tip-top shape and by taking extra |
| winter driving period. Here are some winter driving | | | | precautions, you can survive a difficult situation. |
| tips that not only will make this time of year | | | | The best way to prevent being caught in a life |
| more comfortable, but could end up saving your | | | | and death situation during winter time, is having |
| life: | | | | the right state of mind in making the GO-NO-GO |
| - Have your rig "winterized" by a professional | | | | decision. Even if other drivers are heading out in |
| technician. | | | | what to you, seems like a bad idea . . . then stick |
| - Carry a few gallons of a fuel treatment product | | | | with your intuition. Make the NO-GO decision to |
| to prevent the diesel from gelling. | | | | stay put until the weather clears. Make the right |
| - Carry extra blankets........enough to keep you | | | | decision. The freight can wait. |
| warm in case you get stranded. | | | | |