Winters are one of the busiest seasons for tow truck drivers for various reasons. Car batteries can fail, vehicles can slide from ice, and even break down. In these situations, it’s nearly impossible for vehicle owners to manage on their own. Therefore, tow truck drivers come in handy in such situations. It doesn’t matter if you do roadside assistance or repo work; we have some tips that will ensure your safety this winter. Let’s begin.
Winter Safety Tips
The following are some of the best safety tips for tow truck drivers this winter.
Have a First Aid Kit
It’s essential to keep a first aid kit on your tow truck at all times. You never know when you or someone around you could need urgent first aid assistance.
Being a tow truck operator can be a very risky job; therefore, it’s best to be prepared. There’s also an increased risk of auto accidents during the winter due to ice and snow. Having a first aid kit can help you manage injuries easily.
Keep Spare Warm Clothes on Your Truck
During the winter, you never know when the temperature could drop below freezing. Therefore, it’s wise to keep some extra warm clothes on your truck.
The following are some of the essential clothing items that you should have on you at all times:
- Gloves
- Boots
- Pair of jeans
- Hat
- Sweatshirt
- Pair of socks
Towing isn’t the easiest of jobs and the weather can be quite unpredictable. Therefore, it’s best to keep spare warm and dry clothes on you at all times.
Check Your Vehicle Before Trips
A tow truck operator’s truck is their livelihood, if it isn’t working, they aren’t able to work. Since tow trucks are such large complex vehicles, they need to be taken care of. Truckers deal with issues such as frozen engines, fuel issues, and even braking issues. That’s why you must inspect your vehicle before heading out on the road.
Snow and ice buildup on a vehicle can reduce your visibility and damage your vehicle. Make sure to remove all snow and ice before heading out.
Don’t Speed
Speeding is one of the biggest reasons for accidents during the winter season. That’s because weather conditions change and so does the driving and handling of trucks. You don’t necessarily have to be at fault to get into an accident, as another vehicle could run into you.
However, following the speed limit makes it easier for you to react on time. It’s better to arrive at your destination a bit late, rather than risking your life and the ones around you.
Bottom Line
The winter season is a dangerous time for tow truck drivers in the US. However, we are sure that you can stay safer with some of the tips that we have mentioned in this article. Just make sure to head out prepared, keep first aid supplies, have some extra clothing with you, and follow the speed limit.
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