As a professional trucker, you are likely to find yourself in situations with heavy rain and hail storms several times during your trucking career. Although trucking during rainy weather is not fun and requires a lot of focus, you will be good to go with a few great tips for driving in the rain. Apart from being extra careful and attentive about what is going on the road, here are a few things that you can do.

Tips to keep in mind before starting your journey 

1- Plan your trip properly

Before embarking on a trucking journey during rainy weather, you need to ensure you have all the extra supplies required. These include a raincoat, an umbrella, some extra warm clothes, and a pair of warm gloves to keep your hands warm and mobile. You also need to check the pressure in your tires and make sure they are well-inflated.

2- Eliminate all possible distractions

One of the best tips for driving in the rain is eliminating all distractions such as your phone, the radio, or any other source of entertainment. These things may take your attention off the road, causing you to miss a pothole or puddle. It would help if you were super vigilant about emergency vehicles that might be on the road. This will require keeping your eyes on the road and ears open to sirens and honks. 

3- Don’t rush!

Driving slower than the recommended speed limit during the rain is advised. This is a safety precaution that prevents most accidents that would otherwise occur. Being a few miles below the speed limit ensures your safety in the best way possible and keeps those around you safe and sound. 

4- Watch out for curves

With wet roads, the possibility of skidding off the road or turning over your entire trailer is very high. Most of these accidents occur on curvaceous roads or blind curves that require you to turn your complete vehicle. Lowering your speed on turns can help you prevent skidding and other such accidents. 

FAQs

1- What should be done in extreme weather conditions?

If the weather conditions are too severe and there is a hailstorm, you might want to pull over in a safe parking spot for some time. If you do not feel safe on the road, or if your truck keeps skidding and slipping, it might be time for a break from your journey. Moreover, it is better to stop and wait for the weather conditions to subside instead of driving on a dangerously slippery road. 

2- How to be mindful of other vehicles on the road in rainy conditions?

Due to low visibility and fog, rainy conditions can cause the driver not to notice small vehicles or pedestrians moving on the road. One of the best tips for driving in the rain is going extremely slow and keeping your windshield clear. 

Conclusion

All the other vehicle components that make its smooth mobility possible should also work correctly before starting your trucking journey. In rainy weather, the last thing you need is a broken-down vehicle because it is relatively harder to call for help during rain.

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