Very Cheap Auto Insurance - Tips That Guarantee Affordable Car Insurance Rates

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Poor Road Conditions and Truck Insurance

By Steve Turner

A good way to prevent having to use your truck insurance coverage is to be aware of the type of weather you will be traveling in. Surely you have experience driving in poor weather sometime in your trucking career. It is vital to understand how any inclement weather will affect the state of the roads that you are driving on and then in turn how you should respond to these conditions.

Be attentive to what the planned weather conditions are for the route you are taking to your destination. Prepare an alternative route just in case the weather conditions become too precarious. Listen to the radio or talk with other drivers on your CB for weather updates.

During rainy conditions, even light rain, be careful not to hydroplane. Even small amounts of water on the road can cause reduction in the traction of your tires by as much as 30%. If you do start to hydroplane, do not push on your brakes and be sure you are your steering straight until your feel your tires grab traction again.

Driving on a flooded road is never a good idea despite the extra weight associated with a commercial truck. Your trailer could jackknife or the whole rig to flip over because of the strong water flow in the flooded area. Abandon your truck if you and head for higher ground if you do find yourself in this situation.

If you are driving in fog turn on your defroster and windshield wipers to aid in your visibility. Sometimes it can also help to roll down your windows so you can hear slow moving or stopped vehicles that you may not see. Use low beam headlights and fog lights to have the best visibility.

If you are driving in snow and ice, remember your antilock brakes will work best if you apply firm, constant pressure. Keep in mind that your braking area will be larger than in normal conditions. Keep plenty of area between your truck and the car in front of you.

If you are traveling through high wind conditions, be aware of the movement of your trailer at all times. These conditions can sometimes cause smaller cars to be pulled under your trailer.

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