January 2009 TRUCKER TALK
SAFETY FIRST THIS YEAR
BY WRITER & OWNER OPERATOR KIM GRIMM
Usually, most drivers try to prepare for winter before it actually gets here, but sometimes it catches us off-guard and we are reminded of the things we forgot. I found myself in that situation a few days ago and it made me think about some of the other things I hadn’t done but should have to be really ready for winter. Being prepared is the best way to stay safe.
When I snapped the padlock closed on my back doors in Chesapeake, VA the idea of running through snow and freezing rain, or being prepared for it, had not crossed my mind. I hadn’t even seen any of that kind of weather yet anyway. But when I got to my drop in McHenry, IL and the key would not begin to go into my frozen lock, it made me think of why I didn’t have a lighter, lock deicer or one of those small butane torches. I used to have the torch, but it died. At the time, I didn’t really need it so I didn’t replace it. Now I was staring at a frozen lock and had nothing to help open it. I asked the receiver if I could use his bolt cutters, and then cut the lock. After I got unloaded and started toward home, I vowed to get better prepared.
When I replaced the padlock that I had to cut, I bought a pack with three locks that are all keyed alike and have a plastic cover for the key hole. I was really surprised to find that even with three locks, I still only got two keys. Yes, I put the spare in a place I will be able to find if I need it. I have, as I am sure many of you have too, put something in a “special place” where I am sure I will be able to find it when I need it, only to forget where I put it. Sometimes, just to add insult to injury, I will remember where I put something after I have replaced it. Or is it just me? Anyway, while getting my new padlocks, I made sure to get lock deicer, which came in handy the very next day, but I didn’t need it to free up a lock, I needed it for my airlines. Instead of glad hands I have quick disconnects hooked up under my trailer and the service line had become frozen inside the quick disconnect. I used the lock deicer to break it loose so that I could get unhooked.
We always think of the usual things – blankets, insulated coveralls, winter boots and gloves, plenty of non-perishable food, etc. – but sometimes we need other things, too. You never know when the road may be shut down for hours due to weather conditions or an accident (unless you are one of those lucky drivers that don’t have to run where it gets cold). Here are a few more good ideas for winter driving and/or survival that you may not have thought about.
In the winter, if possible, I try to not let my fuel get down to less than half tanks. Running your tanks low all the time in the winter allows for more condensation to build up in the tanks and that water can freeze and cause you a major problem down the road. That leads to another tip that some drivers sometimes don’t think about: start treating your fuel for cold weather in California or Florida long BEFORE you get to the cold! When it’s nice and warm in California or Florida and you’re headed to frigid Wisconsin where it’s below zero with 40 mph winds, gelling up would not be pleasant (in fact it could be deadly). Personally, I’ve bought my additives in bulk and just remember to take some with me when I leave home. You never know when the truckstop may run out, and you don’t want to find yourself stuck because everyone else just realized that they need it, too, and bought it all up. And if you shop around, buying ahead of time and in bulk can save you a small fortune.
A couple of years ago, when I-40 was shut down for two days, full fuel tanks would have been a very good thing to have. Snow and ice will melt and fuel will burn off (if you are worried about weight), but if the snow and ice isn’t melting and you are stuck for an extended period of time, those full fuel tanks will be invaluable. So if you think some bad weather is coming, do yourself a favor and top off your tanks.
Since most trucks are equipped with a refrigerator and microwave these days, it is easy to carry plenty of food. And that food could not only be good for you, but possibly for other motorists that might be stranded on the road with you. Some of these people may have small children or be elderly, and they would surely love some help, so be prepared to give it (remember, we are supposed to be the “knights of the highway” out here). Let’s face it, if you get stuck somewhere with other motorists, even a car with a full tank of gas, idling to keep the heater going, will not last as long as 200 gallons of diesel fuel. So, again, keep those tanks full.
Be sure to keep an eye (or ear) on the weather reports. Even if the weatherman is wrong and it doesn’t get as nasty as predicted, you’ll be okay, but if it does get bad or worse than they predict, you will be the smart driver that was prepared. The life you save might not only be your own – you may be able to help someone else who wasn’t prepared. Today, with the Weather Channel and satellite radio, we can all easily get continuous, up-to-the-minute weather reports. It is a lot easier to prepare when you know what kind of weather you’ll be running into. And if you find that the conditions are going to be really bad, you might just want to plan a new route that takes you around the really bad stuff.
A shovel can be handy, too. They sell small shovels that could be quite helpful at times, even in an unplowed truckstop parking lot. A small bag of ice melt or one of those tubes of sand is another idea that, if needed, would be good to have. And when the weather gets bad, what are some of the first things that the stores run out of? Ice melt and sand. I hope that I don’t need to use my chains again this winter, but if need be, having them means the difference between going and sitting sometimes. You should also know which states require you to carry chains, even if you are not the kind of driver who ever hangs them. I know it seems like we already carry so much stuff, but when you need them, boy they sure are nice to have!
The most obvious winter driving tip, of course, is to SLOW down! I haven’t figured out why some drivers feel the need to drive as fast on really treacherous roads as they do on dry ones. Most accidents can be prevented. We really have to watch out for what the cars around us are doing, but we also have to watch out for all the other trucks, too. If we all slow down and work together out here, we will all have a much safer winter driving season.
If you do get into an accident, I was just made aware of a new product that would be good to have. It is a practical safety product that is reasonably priced. The patented 4-in-1 “SafetyStick” tool includes a strong-beamed flashlight, flashing red LED strobes, a seat belt cutter (sharp enough to slice through a seat belt yet designed not to injure the user), and a small, steel pointed hammer-like tip that is designed to shatter any window with just a tap to allow for an emergency exit. The SafetyStick also features a magnetic bottom that allows the unit to be attached to the side of a vehicle to alert oncoming traffic with the flashing red strobes. The magnetic bottom also comes in handy if you want to safely stow the device under your seat, where it will always be within reach. The 4-in-1 SafetyStick sells for $18.95 and is available at www.safetybright.com.
For many drivers, these tips may seem to be repeated every year, but if you are a new driver and it is you’re first winter, you may find yourself in a situation where these things could really help you. We all learn by going out there and doing it. And even drivers that have been on the road for many years still have to be reminded sometimes (like me with that frozen padlock). I procrastinated too long and then found myself having to cut that lock off to open my trailer doors – which was not good! Winter always has a way of creeping up on us all. So be safe and drive defensively. And if it gets too bad, just park it!
Last month I wrote about our friend Bette Garber passing away. I would like to tell you all about a truck show we are planning to have in her memory this summer. “The World of Large Cars – a Tribute to Bette Garber” will be held July 3-5 at the fairgrounds in Carlinville, Illinois. We welcome everyone who would like to come and remember Bette. This will be a wash and park event with no judging and no trophies – just a get-together of friends and family to remember a wonderful friend. We will have a convoy and park the trucks with their lights on afterwards to help celebrate the 4th of July. This event will include Bette’s friends, as well as family, who have been overwhelmed by the response of Bette’s passing from the trucking community. They would like to thank everyone who has written about her and shared their stories. They are trying to collect and keep as much of this as possible. If you would like to send a card to her longtime companion Leo Trotman, send them to P.O. Box 249, Thorndale, PA 19372 or to her family c/o Joel Friedman at 1465 McDaniels Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035. We hope to see many of you in July.