As a commercial truck driver, springtime provides blooming landscapes and warmer temperatures. However, the season is not without hazards. Spring driving hazards mean you’ll need to take extra precautions to avoid the need for heavy-duty towing services. Keep the following tips in mind before getting behind the wheel this spring.

4 Ways for Semi Truck Drivers to Stay Safe During Spring

1. Inspect the Vehicle

Inspect your truck for damage that will impact your safety on the road, such as balding tires, failing windshield wipers, and low or faulty headlights. Schedule repairs and replacements as necessary so you can maintain visibility and road traction on rainy or foggy days. If it has been a long time since the vehicle was last serviced, schedule a tuneup that checks the motor and transmission function as well. 

2. Be Aware of Wild Animals

Stay aware of animal activity, as deer and other woodland creatures are more likely to be on the side of the road foraging for food in the spring. Note that deer are most active during sunrise and sunset. If you see an animal in the road, brake slowly rather than swerve to avoid hitting it. Swerving can cause your truck to flip, resulting in serious injuries and damage to the products or materials you are transporting. Swerving also puts other drivers in danger if there’s insufficient clearance between your rig and the cars in neighboring lanes. 

3. Watch the Weather Report Regularly & Go Slow

Keep up with the weather report along your route to prepare for inclement conditions such as heavy winds and rain. If you need to pull over because of poor weather, do not park under an overpass because that can create a severe wind tunnel. If you start to hydroplane while driving, maintain the speed limit instead of hitting your brakes. This will keep you from potentially jackknifing. Allow the truck to coast to a slower speed, and maintain a slower average speed until you’re no longer driving in dangerous weather. If the weather does not improve, pull over. Remember, it’s better to have to call for heavy-duty towing services than it is to get in a wreck. 

4. Look for Potholes

Watch the roads for potholes — a common springtime issue formed from melting snow, ice, and corrosive road salt. Avoid them as much as possible without swerving or making other jerky, dangerous movements to prevent tire and wheel damage. Potholes can easily throw off your vehicle’s alignment, causing handling issues among other problems.
 

If you get stuck on the side of the road, rely on Buckeye Riverside Towing whenever you need heavy-duty towing services. The company offers flatbed tow trucks for semis and other heavy-duty vehicles, as well as rollback services. Call (513) 244-7200 today with your questions or learn more about their services online. See the heavy-duty towing service’s latest jobs on Facebook.