6 Safety Tips While Driving in Spring
The snow has finally melted, and the nice weather is rolling in – that means spring is in the air! As the season’s first warm sunlight begins to peek through the gloomy winter clouds, it’s safe to say that everyone is at least a little reinvigorated with happiness. The relief of the new season is a great feeling, but it’s important to keep in mind that the safety hazards of the winter aren’t gone – in fact, new ones just take their place. Here are six safety tips you’ll need to safely navigate the roads while driving in the spring.
The hazards of rain are quite obvious, but should never be ignored or brushed aside during springtime. More often than not, rain reduces visibility for drivers on the road. Rainy days and early, foggy mornings can easily restrict your windshield visibility, making it easier for you to get into an accident. Without seeing clearly, you and your truck will be sitting on the side of the road until the storm passes – wasting valuable time. To ensure safe visibility, always keep your windshield wipers and headlights working so other drivers can see you and you can see them.
With rain comes the risk of hydroplaning. Some roads do not drain as well as others, leaving fairly large puddles. With the increased weight of freight trucks, hydroplaning is all the more dangerous. Hydroplaning occurs when your truck’s tires lose their grip on the pavement, skidding and sliding atop the water – making it hard to brake. If a driver brakes too hard, the truck can even jackknife and lose total control. To avoid this entirely, be patient, maintain a safe speed and brake gradually when the conditions aren’t driver-friendly.
The winter just never seems to officially leave no matter what time of the year it is. Ironically considered some of winter’s blessings, spring is when potholes become a serious problem. Between the plows, salting and harsh weather, potholes can grow to pretty impressive sizes. The best you can do is avoid them at all costs before they’re patched. Driving over serious potholes can cause much unwanted damage underneath the vehicle.
Just when you thought you wouldn’t see ice again for at least another 6 months, unexpected freezing can occur during the spring season as well. The temperature can still drop to the perfect freezing point at night in early spring. The seasonal spike in rainfall doesn’t help, but just because it’s warm during the day doesn’t mean black ice can’t form at night.
Closer to the middle of spring, you’ll see more and more people outside enjoying the sunshine. While driving through residential areas, be mindful of bikers and children playing outside. Drive slowly and give them space to avoid any accidents.
Even though animals are active at all times of the year, it’s wise to have an eye out for any crossing the road no matter what. You should always be prepared to brake and not swerve out of the way. It’s best to be ready to react rather than react on a last-second impulse, which can only create an additional road hazard.
National Retail Systems, Inc. is committed to keeping the roads safe, starting with our fleet of dedicated drivers. As the ultimate 3PL option, we specialize in delivering lean logistics to businesses worldwide. To accomplish this goal, we need all branches of our organization to work in efficient unison while upholding the highest safety standards for our employees. If you’re interested in truck driving jobs in your area, consider National Retail Systems, Inc. Building a career with us will reward you with unmatched benefits simply because we don’t do average. Contact us for more information about the available job posts, and we hope to hear from you soon!
National Retail Systems, Inc. (NRS) includes Keystone Freight Corp. & National Retail Transportation, Inc. (NRT). NRS is an asset-based 3PL that has provided logistics services to the World’s leading retail companies for 60+ years. Our hub locations include: New York & New Jersey; Los Angeles, CA; Inland Empire, CA; Savannah, GA; Columbus, OH; Greensboro, NC; and Baltimore, MD.