Whether or Not to Drive in Bad Weather: Inclement Road Conditions and Big Truck Wrecks

The weather in Louisiana can be quite unpredictable and ever-changing. The recent freezing rain storms in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas caused a complete shutdown of Interstate 10 and 12 leaving many motorists stuck in stopped traffic for hours while vehicles were detoured to other routes. But these precautions were taken because inclement weather can significantly affect road conditions. Ice Ice and snow drastically reduce the amount of friction between the road and the tire. Bridges are likely to ice over in below-freezing temps with precipitation. Without proper tires, (snow tires), these are nearly impossible to cross without sliding. This is why places that don’t normally see ice/snow shut down highways and bridges—without readily available resources to react to freezing conditions, these roads can potentially become deadly. Big trucks are especially at risk for sliding in icy conditions. Carrying heavy loads on slick roads can be a disaster. When at all possible, avoid roads completely during these conditions. Rain Driving in rain is a challenge in itself with decreased visibility. But like ice and snow, wet highways can lead to reduced traction and decreased ability to maneuver and control the vehicle. The first few drops of rain mix with road oil which creates particularly slick road conditions, making breaking much harder. In fact, 75% of weather-related crashes occur in rainy weather conditions. Big truck drivers in particular should use extra caution in rainy weather because with heavy loads, slick roads can be deadly. Other vehicles on the road should leave big trucks lots of room in rainy weather so they will be able to maneuver more easily. You want to leave the truck plenty of time to brake. Fog Fog is equivalent to a cloud hovering at ground level, and can severely impact visibility for passenger vehicles and big trucks. In these blurry driving conditions, turning on your low beam headlights can increase visibility for you and help others see you as well. This applies to all vehicles, especially big trucks. Has Bad Weather Caused Your Bad Trucking Accident? Serious trucking accidents almost always have multiple contributing factors, and one of the most common ones is weather. When combined with driver fatigue and improperly maintained equipment, accidents can occur, and the truck company and driver may be held liable. If you have been in an accident with a big truck and want to discuss your case for free, contact our team at 225-888-8888. We are on standby to talk to you.