National Weather Forecast

Top Truck Driver's Tips

Wet or icy roads can be challenging to navigate, but a top truck driver-Wayne Crowder, a National Truck Driving Championship Grand Champion and one of the safest truck drivers in America-has some suggestions that could help:

Drive slowly, because rapid movements can lead to skids and loss of control. Remember, speed limits are meant for dry, ideal road conditions.

Don't use cruise control on wet roads; touching the brakes to deactivate them could cause a loss of control.

Use your brakes properly. Standard brakes should be pumped gently, while steady pressure should be applied to anti-lock brakes.

Signal your lane change. Giving other drivers notice of your intentions is a sound, safe practice.

Understand that trucks take longer to stop than cars; don't dart in front of them. "Remember," said Crowder, a FedEx Freight line-haul driver, "the goal for everyone is to reach their destination safely, so take a little extra time to make the right decisions." When driving in wet weather, leave plenty of room between you and the car in front. It takes three times as long to stop in slippery conditions as it does on dry roads.

By NAPSA Guest Contributors