This guide is intended to give everyday drivers some winter hacks to get by. Winter is freezing, and it is during this season when ice and snow cover everything. The presence of ice and snow on your truck should not prevent you from using it. Instead, learn some winter driving hacks in this guide to help you do away with ice and snow.

Winter Driving Hacks For Truck Drivers

Shared below are 3 most crucial winter driving hacks that will help you get through the snowy weather and use the vehicle normally.

Remove Fog From the Windshield

Accumulation of fog on your windshield can be annoying and deny you proper visibility when driving. Poor visibility is one of the common causes of accidents during winter. You will have to remove the accumulated fog on your windshield before you continue/start driving your truck. The only option you have here is to smudge them off. 

Shaving cream is the cheapest way to remove fog from your windshield at home. Why shaving cream? The ingredients used in the manufacture of defoggers and shaving cream are similar. So, you do not need to spend more to buy a defogger, yet you have shaving cream.

Apply the shaving cream all over your windscreen from the inside and wipe it off. Avoid leaving water in your truck. When you leave water in the truck, it will evaporate and form moisture from within, and the moisture will make your windows frosty. 

Remove Ice From Wipers And Windshields

During winter, ice will cover your wipers which will freeze on your windshield. It becomes tough to free the wipers when this happens because ice binds them tightly. To eliminate the ice, gently raise your wipers from the windshield and let them suspend in the air. Doing this will give you an easy time to de-ice the wipers when you wake up in the morning.

Another trick is covering your wipers using a pair of socks. Doing this prevents snow and ice from sticking directly to your wipers.

When parking, ensure the front end of your truck faces east. The sun usually rises from the east, and this will naturally defrost your windscreen. It makes it easy for you to scrap off the ice particles from the windshield.

Remove Ice From Doors, Locks, and Handles

Ice will cover the better part of your truck’s exterior, such as the door handles and locks. You have to come into contact with the door when you want to get into your truck. Ice may cover the edges of your door, lock, and handles, making it hard to open your door. 

When you apply a little energy, your door might break. Removing ice from your door and vital accessories like the handle and lock is necessary. To do this, use a burning match stick to heat your truck gently. You can insert the hot matchstick inside your lock and apply a little pressure to melt the accumulated ice bulbs.

Use a dry drinking straw by placing it right towards the frozen lock, and gradually breathe it out. The natural warmth from your breath will melt off the ice.

Conclusion

The above are some simple winter driving hacks that will help you survive during winter. It is good to conduct a regular inspection of your truck. Check the condition of the fluids, the battery, and other parts affected by cold weather. 

In this guide, we will go through some of the crucial safety tips to keep in mind on the road. It is something that we never wish for, but you might find yourself at the roadside with a broken-down truck. Roadside emergencies can happen anytime, but it is essential to be cautious. Being on the side of the road is dangerous. You can be hit by other drivers, food to wild animals, or even a guest to thugs, depending on where your truck broke down. It is essential to know safety tips as a truck driver.

Important Safety Tips For Truck Drivers

Shared below are some of the important safety tips that every driver needs to keep in mind when driving on any road.

Do Not Delay

Always stay alert when driving your truck. Be keen on how it drives, the sound it produces, and the general motion. Your truck will always communicate with you when things start to go wrong. Whenever you hear such signals, do not continue to drive but consult a professional mechanic for a diagnosis to determine what could be the problem. 

Always Turn on Your Hazard

It is vital to communicate with other road users. The only way you can communicate with them is through your hazard. Turning on the hazard will let other drivers know the next action you are planning to take. For example, when you want to branch, the indicator will signal, and other road users will let you pass. 

Be Careful When Accepting Help From Strangers

The road carries various people. Some are well-intentioned, while others are not. When your truck is broken down, stay safe from those who may offer to assist you. Your doors should be locked, and only roll down your windows to let you speak. As you speak, use your best judgment, but it is recommended to call a professional, family member, or friend to assist you. 

Don’t Leave Your Truck Until It’s Safe

If you have an emergency and you might want to get out of your truck, scan around you quickly. If you are on the side of the road, do not forget that you are in traffic. Wait until the traffic eases, then you can exit. You can use your passenger’s side to get out of your truck.

Keep Emergency Supplies in Your Truck

You must have emergency supplies in your truck. Equip your truck with water, food, a first-aid kit, a basic repair toolbox, jumper cables, and many more when traveling long distances. You never know when you will need any of this equipment. Ensure they are always available to handle emergencies that you might face.

Get Off The Highway

Whenever your truck develops a mechanical issue, you should get out of the road and park in a safe place. Sometimes you can be on a highway with no exit and pull off the side of the road as far as the safety barriers allow. Doing this will keep away from the fast-moving traffic and avoid causing a traffic jam.

Conclusion

Staying safe while using the road is not only good for you but also saves other road users’ lives. This guide has elaborated on some life-saving safety tips you should know as a truck driver. 

In this guide, we will go through some important truck driving tips for beginners. Driving a truck is completely different from driving a small car, especially for first-time drivers. You will feel much difference. First, the higher ground clearance will fascinate you. You will feel you are seated on a big machine. Such differences might make you feel challenged on the first day. It is necessary to equip yourself with tips that will enable you to handle a truck well. 

Important Truck Driving Tips For Beginners

Here are some of the most important truck driving tips that beginners and some pro drivers will find value in.

Check the Blind Spots

When on a busy road, always check your side mirrors more regularly. Doing this will enable you to identify any vehicle that enters your blind spot. You must also scan the road ahead for about 15 seconds. Doing this will aid in identifying any danger and traffic issues. Blind spots are areas that are prone to accidents because of visibility issues. Being conversant with them in your truck will save your life and that of other road users.

Bare at the Back of Your Mind Of Long Stopping Distances

Large trucks will need a length of almost two football fields to stop safely. You risk a rollover or even a crash when you drive fast or fail to slow down for the curves or rumps. Ensure you are aware of stopping distance and be cautious when making wide turns.

Always Fasten The Seat Belt

A safety belt is a safety feature in every vehicle, not only in trucks. In case of a crash, the seatbelt will save your life, the truck drivers who perish in road crashes do not wear seatbelts. Ensure you wear your seat belt every time before you start to drive your truck. The seat belt reduces injuries and lets the driver stay inside and control their truck in case of a crash.

Maintain a Safe Speed

The large size and weight of most trucks make them more challenging to accelerate, brake, and even maneuver. When going uphill, your truck will accelerate slowly, but the speed can drastically increase when going down the hill. When driving a truck, keep such factors in mind and drive at a reasonable speed keeping in mind the speed limit of your surroundings.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Avoid driving when you feel sick, tired, or under any medication that might make you feel dizzy.

Avoid sending or reading text messages as you drive. It is illegal to use your cell phone while driving. Using a navigational device, eating, or drinking are some activities that might distract you when driving. Avoid them. If you must attend to any activity while driving, exit the highway or pull over. Doing this will be safer.

Always Use Signals

Among crucial truck driving tips to keep in mind is to use signals well. The only way drivers communicate on the highway is through road signals. Signal whenever you want to break, give way whenever another road user requests, and use your indicators appropriately whenever you want to make a turn or your truck is faulty. Always have reflective triangles and lifesavers whenever your truck breaks down in the middle of the highway. 

Conclusion

Before driving a truck, you must go through this guide to know what to do and what you should not do while on the road. Shared in this guide are some of the crucial truck driving tips that beginners need to know about to enhance safety on the road.