From beautiful clear, crisp days to weeks of cloud and grey – the winter is well and truly here to stay. So it's a good time for truck drivers to review their winter truck driving routine and make sure they don’t get caught out by adverse weather conditions such as snow and ice. We have put together the key winter truck driving tips truckers need to know in this blog post. After all, nothing is more important than truck driver safety at this frosty time of year!
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Sign up to receive logistics news now!The tyres you choose have a massive influence on safety and performance when it comes to winter truck driving. The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you need winter tyres or all-weather tyres. Winter tyres are an absolute must if you have to drive in snow regularly. If you only drive your HGV in regions where the winter weather is not quite so brutal, then you can also use all-weather HGV tyres.
It’s vital your tyres have high traction so that they have optimum grip in difficult road conditions such as snow or ice. This is where the tread depth of your tyres plays a crucial role. Make sure your HGV winter tyres have a tread depth of at least 4 mm. Don’t forget that your tyres are under constant wear, so make sure you inspect the tread depth on a regular basis.
The same goes for your HGV’s tyre pressure – check it regularly to ensure it’s not too high or too low. Incorrect tyre pressure on an HGV not only causes them to wear faster and increases rolling friction, but in winter it degrades traction, too. This leads to a longer braking distance on slippery roads, which increases the risk of being involved in an accident.
In Germany, buses and class N2 and N3 vehicles can only legally drive in wintry conditions if both the drive and steering axels are fitted with winter tyres. Anyone caught driving in Germany with the wrong tyres in winter will be hit with a penalty point on their licence and a fine of at least €60. Legislation on this differs in other countries, so it’s wise to check the regulations of the country or countries you’re heading to before setting off.
But having the wrong tyres isn’t the only thing on the list of fines you can incur in winter. For instance, you need to turn on your dipped headlights if it's snowing so heavily that visibility on the roads is impaired. If you don’t, then you will be fined €25 in urban areas. Outside urban areas, this amount increases to €60 and a penalty point will also be added to your licence.
It’s always better to have something and not need it, than need something and not have it. In winter, this is especially true when it comes to snow chains for trucks – they are an essential part of any emergency kit. In particular, you should have them in your vehicle at all times if you have to drive in snowy areas or if your route takes you through one. You should also therefore factor in whether you’ll be travelling on roads that can only be navigated if have your snow chains to hand when planning your route. What’s more, it’s a good idea to practice putting the snow chains on your truck before you set out so that you can react quickly in an emergency.
Carrying out vehicle maintenance both before the winter sets in and during it prevents dangers. Good visibility is particularly important in the dark and in poor weather conditions during winter, so make sure you inspect all your vehicle’s lights, including the indicators, brake lights and headlights, regularly.
Checking your vehicle’s battery is also part of your winter maintenance routine. Battery performance declines especially quickly in the winter months. This partly due to the low temperatures and partly down to the fact that it works harder – for instance, because the start requires more energy. If you’re in doubt about the condition of your battery, play it safe and have it replaced.
Bad weather – think mud, water and salt – also increases the strain put on a vehicle’s seals. It’s best to thoroughly inspect your truck’s seals to avoid the vehicle becoming susceptible to rust and short circuiting.
Breaking down or getting stuck due to road closures rapidly becomes a problem in winter. For that reason, check that the heating and ventilation in the cab work before the cold season starts and at regular intervals during it.
Make sure you pack warm clothing and extra blankets to avoid getting cold during longer waiting times or breaks. Plus, you should also make sure to pack enough food and a small first-aid kit in your suitcase. If you need medical support on the road, then check out the non-profit organisation DocStop, which is committed to improving medical care for truck and bus drivers.
But what is the forecast for the rest of the winter? Meteorologist Hartmut Mühlbauer gives his outlook on German weather website wetter.de: “All the long-term forecasts currently point to a warm winter, perhaps even too warm.” However, as the forecast is based on the monthly average over the winter, he refuses to rule out cold spells and snow. This makes it all the more important to keep up a vigilant winter truck driving routine and make sure you’re prepared for whatever the winter weather has to throw at you.
Have a safe trip!
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