Don Hummer Trucking

Severe Weather

Posted on June 5, 2018 at 9:32 AM by Blog Committee

Driving During Severe Weather

 

Severe weather season has been off to a reasonably slow start this year, but that will be changing in the weeks ahead. In the average year, most severe weather is reported in June, July and August. As the season begins to ramp up, here are some tips to staying safe.

 

Pre-weather planning for your trip:
  • Check the weather for your route before heading out.
  • If severe or inclement weather is in your path, try and re-route with your Fleet Manager.
  • If you cannot re-route, consider postponing and leave after the weather. Arriving late is better than not arriving at all.
  • Keep in mind that other drivers may not be calm; be prepared for the actions/reactions of other drivers.
  • All of the trucks at Don Hummer Trucking are equipped with Weather Radios.

 

Driving in a tornado:
  • Tornadoes are erratic and often change directions. The flying debris can be more dangerous than the tornado itself.
  • If a tornado approaches while you are driving, pull over to a safe place and try to get to an indoor shelter, basement, or an interior room.
 
If you cannot reach shelter:
  • Get off the road. If it is possible, get off the road completely, instead of pulling over to the shoulder.
  • Avoid stopping under bridges and tunnels. Over and underpasses often cause funnel dangerous winds.
  • Get down low. Stay secured in your seat belt in your truck but leave it running, so the airbags work. Cover your head and get as low as you can.
  • As an absolute last resort, leave your truck if you can get to a spot lower than the road and lie in the ditch.

 

Driving after a storm:

Just because the skies are calm after the storm does not mean the danger is over. The roads can still be slippery from rain and melting hail. Hail often acts like loose gravel and can cause loss of traction. Debris can cover the road, making it hard to navigate. Heavy rains can also cause landslides and wash the road surface out or worse, flash flooding. The key to driving in any hazardous situation is to slow down, increase your following distance and know when to stop.

 

 

Written by Greg Edwards

Photo by Michael Tramaglino

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