Driving during the winter months can be pretty treacherous. Nobody knows this better than the drivers on popular reality TV show, Ice Road Truckers. These drivers carry their loads through some of the most dangerous conditions, driving across frozen lakes and rivers in isolated areas of Canada and Alaska. We’ve already had a quick look at the best truck maintenance and driving tips for winter, but today we’ll share some driving tips from Alex Debogorski of Ice Road Truckers fame.
Be Prepared
- Replace windshield wipers that have cracked rubber. This will make sure that you maintain good visibility.
- Clean your headlight covers. Over time, they can become yellow and cloudy which reduces the amount of light coming out of them.
- Check your tyres. Make sure to check that your tyre treads are at least 1.6mm deep. You can do this with ‘the 20p test’. Take a 20p coin and slot it into the main grooves of your tyre. If you can see the border of the coin above the groove, your tyres are illegal and need replacing.
- Stock an emergency kit with a basic selection of items you may need if you get into trouble on the road.
Driving in Fog
- Utilise your fog lights. They’re there for a reason and will help to improve low visibility.
- If you’re about to enter a fog bank, slow down by pumping the brakes several times to alert drivers behind you to back off. Don’t wait until you’re in the thick of it to brake as you may be hit from behind.
- Be extra cautious when driving over hills as you won’t be able to see cars stopped at the top.
Driving in Rain
- Slow down to avoid hydroplaning. If you do start to hydroplane, don’t panic; slamming on the brakes will cause you to lose control completely. Slow down gradually until you feel like you’re back in control of your vehicle.
- Be cautious of flooded areas. It’s near impossible to gauge the depth of water, so you could cause the engine to fail if water is sucked into the air-intake valve.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to stay safe out on the roads this winter. Don’t forget to get regular maintenance for your vehicle, as these driving tips won’t be much good if your vehicle is in bad shape.
Here at DriveLine, we specialise in propshaft repairs and other maintenance work, so if you’re concerned about the state of your vehicle, contact us today on 01524 382262 and we’ll make sure that your truck is weather-worthy.
