Driving Safety:
- Remain vigilant in managing Hours of Service.
- Slow down and be cautious in adverse weather such as rain, sleet, snow, fog and wind.
- Minimize distractions.
- Wait until parked to use hand-held devices.
- Plan alternate routes and allow for extra time in case of road closures.
- Always buckle up; safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent.
Vehicle Maintenance:
- Maintain tire traction and health with Tire Pressure Monitoring and Trailer Tire Inflation Alert; in one of 11 crashes, there was an issue with a tire before the crash occurred.
- Look for uneven patterns on tires, these are a great indicator of uneven wear caused by poor alignment, worn bearings and/or kingpin wear (steering axle).
- Look for steam or melted snow coming off wheel hubs, as this could be a signal for over-heating wheel bearings.
- Check battery charge and windshield wipers, keep windows clean for maximum visibility, monitor anti-freeze levels and put no-freeze fluid in the washer reserve.
- Use white snow to check for fluid leaks after you have been parked for a while.
Driver Health:
- Keep extra water and non-perishable food in the cab; dehydration and malnourishment can cause weakness, dizziness, confusion, sluggishness, fainting and more.
- Use sun sleeves, window covers, sunglasses and protective clothing in daylight to avoid the deceptive winter glare.
- Be wary of seasonal affective disorder, a common ailment in which reduced sunlight negatively affects mood and other mental health issues.