Tips for driving in bad weather

We’re gradually getting to the colder months. This means there can be rain, snow and fog, something directly related to road condition and to the way we should drive. Even if you’re an experienced driver, you should always remember the following tips when driving your lorry in bad weather:

• Caution on wet roads. The rain makes tyres lose grip on the road, so it would be convenient to increase the safety distance with the car in front of you and reduce your speed. If it starts raining very intensely, you are recommended to turn on your headlights or even your fog lights if it starts raining more heavily to increase visibility. Strengthening these recommendations in case of fog or snow is a key factor to be borne in mind when visibility is reduced.
• Careful with the first raindrops. The first raindrops are also dangerous, since they mix up with materials and substances on the road surface creating an extremely slippery coating. Doubling your braking distance will contribute to your safety.
• Anticipation. Remain vigilant at all times, especially with adverse weather conditions. Observe your surroundings very carefully looking into the forward road-scene as further away as possible to widen your field of vision, this will enable you to “see without looking”, increasing your peripheral vision. In addition, we recommend you check the weather forecast for the route you are going to follow.
• Get your driving compartment ready. Driving comfortably has a bigger impact than one might think. The ideal temperature in your driving compartment should be 20º-22º, both in summer and in winter. A higher temperature could make you feel sleepy and tired, reducing your response capability.