Whether your route involves mountains or not, it’s always best to be prepared for different types of road and weather conditions.
Driving in the mountains can be dangerous for any motorist, but especially for commercial truckers due to the vehicle’s weight. To ensure your safety on the road, let’s discuss some tips for navigating the mountains as a truck driver.
Watch for Road Signs
As you approach specific roads, you’ll notice signs warning you about what to watch out for. Due to the long trips, it may be tempting to space out on the road, but you must watch out for road signs. These signs can give you vital information to navigate the area and potentially save your life.
Take It Slowly
While this tip may be obvious, many people often assume that they can speed and just brake once they reach top mph, but this isn’t the case.
Taking it slowly throughout a mountainous area can ensure that you drive methodically and have enough time to react. There’s no need to rush, especially when driving in a dangerous area.
Furthermore, most mountainous roads contain steep curves, making it challenging to drive around the bend carefully. This is why you must go slow to see the curve ahead of time and brake as needed.
Avoid Tailgating
Going hand in hand with the above tip, if someone in front of you is driving too slow, don’t tailgate them. Tailgating is a dangerous habit many motorists adopt, but it’s even more dangerous on mountainous roads.
Give enough space between your trailer and the vehicle in front of you to ensure you have enough time to brake without crashing. This is especially vital in slippery weather conditions like snow or thunderstorms.
Analyze Your Route Before Leaving
Although you may typically determine your route before leaving, remember to check if there are any unusual roads you’ll be driving on, like the mountains. This will help you thoroughly conduct your pre- and post-trip inspection to ensure your truck is ready for such conditions.
The above tips for navigating the mountains as a truck driver will help you drive efficiently on uncertain roading and ensure a safe trip for you and potential passengers.
