Winter Driving Resources

Your Nebraska Trucking Association will continue to provide the best resources to keep your drivers aware, trained and ready for changing conditions.

Winter driving quiz video

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Winter skids for drivers

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Winter Deliveries

https://hub.instructiontech.net/winter-driving-safety-infographic-delivery-fleet-safety-training

Driving Safely

Before the Trip

  • Get an early start and allow more time than usual for a given trip. Get an early start and allow more time than usual for a given trip.
  • If possible, postpone your travel until roads have been plowed, treated, and cleared
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Obtain road and weather conditions from dispatch, state road condition hotlines, radio reports, and from other drivers for the area you will be traveling.
  • Plan your route
  • Always wear your seat belt
  • Keep mirrors, windows and lights clean.
  • Ensure the windshield washer reservoir is adequately filled with a freeze-resistant cleaning solution.
  • Inspect your tires to ensure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth.
  • See company policy on tires and tread depth.
  • Be prepared with flares, a flashlight, gloves, winter clothing, and proper footwear.
  • Become familiar with the chain laws for each state in which you plan to travel.

During the Trip

  • Do not pass other vehicles on or near bridges as bridges are likely to freeze first
  • If necessary, pull off of the highway and park at the first safe place.ï‚· The key to defensive driving in snow and ice is SPACE and SPEED.
  • If you do not tailgate, you will not be caught by surprise when the brake lights of the vehicle ahead suddenly come on. (See crash
  • Leave yourself room in case something happens ahead
  • Provide a gap between your vehicle and the vehicle(s) in front of you, to significantly lower your chances of sliding into a collision in the event you are struck from behind
  • Be on the lookout for other vehicles having problems with road conditions (See crash #2).
  • Constantly stay alert and proactively scan the road ahead to anticipate emergencies.
  • Give snowplows plenty of room.  A snowplow driver has a limited field of vision.  Stay back 15 car lengths until you are sure it is safe to pass or until the plow pulls off the road.
  • Slow down and adjust your speed to road and traffic conditions.
  • Turn on headlights to help be visible to other drivers.
  • Plan ahead for lane changes.
  • Check your mirrors.
  • Check your blind spots.
  • Signal your intentions well in advance.
  • Focus on driving. Do not use cruise control.
  • To help prevent skidding, brake before turning.
  • Whenever possible, don’t accelerate out of a turn, as this will increase your chances of losing control.