CDL Driving Safely: Driving At Night and Poor Weather

Night Driving

• Can impact your vision.
  • Wear corrective lenses if necessary.
  • Have you eyes checked regularly.
• Can contain extra glare.
  • It can take several seconds to recover.
• Can cause fatigue and lack of alertness.
  • Causes errors related to speed and distance.
  • Reducing reaction time.
  • One third of Americans admit to falling asleep at the wheel.
  • Listen to your bodies’ warning signs.
  • Pay attention if you are at risk of becoming fatigued.
  • Get adequate sleep to prevent weariness.
• Maintain alertness.
  • Protect yourself from glare and eyestrain.
  • Keep an appropriate temperature.
  • Avoid heavy foods.
  • Take periodic breaks (every 100 miles or 2 hours).
  • Stop driving and rest.
  • Do not rely on caffeine or drugs.
  • If drowsy, stop driving and get some sleep.
• Use appropriate tools:
  • Road lighting.
  • Signals and brakes.
  • Headlights
  • High beams.
  • Stop to rest when necessary.

Driving in Poor Weather

• Precautions when driving in fog:
  • Fog can occur anytime.
  • Can be unexpected and deteriorate rapidly.
  • If you can stop in a rest area or truck stop during fog, that is the safest.
  • If you must drive:
    • Obey all fog-related warning signs.
    • Slow down.
    • Use low-beam headlights and fog lights, even if it is daytime.
    • Be alert for other drivers.
    • Turn on your 4 way flashers.
    • Watch for vehicles on the side of the roadway.
    • Use roadside highway reflectors as guides to show how the road may curve.
    • Listen for traffic you cannot see.
    • Avoid passing other vehicles.
    • Do not stop along side of the road, unless absolutely necessary.
• Precautions when driving in winter.
  • Precheck your vehicle:
    • Coolant level and antifreeze amount.
    • Defrosting and heating equipment.
    • Wipers and washers.
    • Tires and tire chains
    • Lights and reflectors
    • Windows and Mirrors
    • Hand holds, steps, deck plates
    • Radiator shutters and winterfront.
    • Exhaust system
  • Driving strategies:
    • Drive slowly and smoothly on slippery roads.
    • Start gently and slowly.
    • Check for ice.
    • Adjust turning and braking to weather and road conditions.
      • Turn as gently as possible.
      • Don’t brake harder than necessary.
    • Adjust speed to conditions.
      • Don’t drive alongside other vehicle.
      • Keep a longer following distance.
      • When you see a traffic jam ahead, slow down or wait for it to clear.
      • Anticipate stops and slow down gradually.
      • Watch for snowplows, salt trucks, etc.
    • Your brakes can get wet, which can cause them be weak, apply unevenly or grab.
• Precautions when driving in very hot weather.
  • Precheck your vehicle:
    • Tires
    • Engine oil
    • Engine coolant
    • Engine belts
    • Hoses
  • Driving strategies:
    • Watch for bleeding tar. Tar can melt and make the road slippery.
    • Go slowly to prevent overheating.