Bay and Bay offers a few truck driving safety tips for windy days
Drivers for Bay & Bay Transportation are no stranger to the howling winds of the continental US. With most of our truck drivers traveling the roads of the Midwest, wind is a common enemy of trailers and MPG alike. Since the Midwest has fewer trees and consists mostly of flat plains, there isn’t much to break up the flowing airs of the seasons. Truck drivers must know how to handle high winds and wind gusts.
Imagine a strong gust of wind hitting your car. It pushes you around the road a little bit, doesn’t it? Now imagine that gust hitting a car twice the size of yours, with a higher center or gravity. Now imagine the wind also pushing around the trailer connected to the large vehicle. Truck drivers struggle with bullying winds day in and day out, while compensating for the dead weight of the trailer as well.
In situations where high winds are present, it’s important to keep extra distance between you and other trucks on the road. Don’t even think about drafting behind the truck in front of you! While steady winds are common, strong gusts will throw an unexpected curveball your way. It’s best to maintain more distance around your truck when driving in windy areas.
High winds often accompany storms as well. You may see a black cloud on the horizon, and press down on the accelerator just a bit to try and outrun it. That’s one of the worst courses of action to take though. Though you might outrun the storm, you put yourself at a higher risk of accident. When you drive at high speeds, there is less time to correct and avoid an accident. High gusts of wind, a nuisance at lower speeds, might become a fatal push while speeding. Storms with high winds and rain also bring along the potential for hydroplaning, another good reason to keep speeds at a lower level.
As a truck driver in Minnesota and the Midwest, it’s important to keep an eye on the weather and know what conditions lay ahead. From new drivers to seasoned professionals, safety on the road is the most important aspect. Maintaining a steady communication with your dispatcher is key. If conditions are reaching threatening levels, they may advise you to pull over and wait out the storms or high winds.
Bay & Bay Transportation is committed to the safety of our drivers and the delivery of goods. If you are an experienced truck driver, up for the challenges of high, gusty winds in the Midwest and along the east coast, please don’t hesitate to apply to one of our available Driver Opportunities.
(Image courtesy of dan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)