Happy ‘Leap Day’ to all Pinnacle drivers!
With winter nearly behind us and signs of spring starting to multiply, most of you are probably looking forward to the warmer months. We could still experience a winter storm—after all, officially it’s still winter for another 19 days—but the worst of winter, and its icy roads, is behind us.
Surviving another winter is always a good thing but each season comes with its own nuances, courtesy of mother nature. Spring is no different. And this is a good time for a safety review:
Check all your lights, ensuring headlights, brake lights, turn signals and running lights are in good condition.
Replace any marginal windshield wipers because spring rains are coming and the ice from winter was hard on the wipers.
Ensure your tires have proper tread depths and air pressure.
Watch wildlife alongside the road. Green grass shows up on the shoulders first, so deer and other animals migrate there.
Warmer weather also brings out walkers, joggers, bicyclists, motorcycles and more traffic, in general.
Potholes are more prevalent in the spring, especially in areas with a lot of snow. The extreme temperature changes combined with snowplows and melting agents wreak havoc on the roads and create potholes.
Another good one for springtime is the orange barrels of construction. You must be very careful in construction zones.
Sleet and hail are more common in the spring and can pose serious threats to safe driving. During these conditions, avoid fast maneuvers, allow more time for stopping and increase your stopping distance. Pulling over and letting the storm pass is a great idea in these conditions.
This is also a good time for a thorough spring cleaning of your truck. If it looks good it is good, as the saying goes, and it’s certainly more comfortable for you if it’s clean.
Happy trails,
Brian M.
