Driving in winter is challenging enough for passenger and private vehicles. The low temperature and moist environment can affect motor performance and slick, icy roads increase the risk of skidding and other road accidents. Simply put, the risks of road accidents and injuries due to vehicle crashes are higher during the winter season. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration gives the following data:
- More than 70 percent of the country’s roads are in regions that experience winter.
- Nearly 70 percent of the population lives in these regions.
- Twenty-four percent of weather-related car crashes happen on snowy or icy pavement.
- Fifteen percent of weather-related car crashes take place during snowfall or sleet.
- There are nearly 900 fatalities and 76,000 people who get injured every year due to vehicular accidents in snowfall or sleet.
The road risks are even higher for truckers, especially for long-haul drivers. To put things into perspective, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (which collects data from official sources and publishes the annual Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts report) shows year-by-year comparisons of crash records and classifies the number of truck and bus accidents according to the following road surface conditions: Dry, Wet, Snow, Ice/Frost, Slush, Water (standing, moving), Mud, Dirt and Gravel, and Sand. Except for two, all of these road conditions can emerge during winter.
It is then crucial that truck drivers know how to spot causes or scenarios that can result in them being injured or involved in a driving accident.
Conditions that Put Truck Drivers at Risk
The best way to safeguard against risks is to identify them. Below are some factors that make it riskier for truck drivers during winter:
- Freezing temperature – Mechanical components in truck engines can stall when the temperature drops below zero. Another problem is moisture that gets into the engine, specifically the fuel line and fuel filter. The accumulated water can freeze when it’s cold enough, clogging the fuel lines and preventing fuel from passing through to the engine.
- Slushy and icy roads – The freeze-thaw cycle that happens when temperatures drop or rise by increments can make the roads extra slippery. Black ice, which is a thin, clear layer of frozen water, can form on the surface of the road. It can reduce the friction and make tires lose their “grip” on the asphalt or pavement.
- Snowfall and sleet – Long-haul truckers may not have a choice but to travel despite heavy snowfall or sleet. It would be a risky drive: they will have to contend with the freezing temperatures, slippery roads, and low visibility. The irony is that driving slow is the default safety response in this situation. Unfortunately, driving slowly could be just as perilous on interstate highways. These roads are designed for high-speed driving, and the more experienced and confident drivers could stick to this rule even with snow falling heavily.
- Gusty winds – Heavy winds during winter can get strong enough to push a car. The risk is even higher for high, narrow vehicles — and yes, even trucks and 18-wheelers can get knocked over by gusty winds.
- Thick snow on the road – Accumulated snow can obstruct the road. If a pile of it stays untouched long enough, the bottom layers could freeze without anyone the wiser.
When one or more of these conditions are present on the road, truckers must be extra careful. Otherwise, they might experience any of the following:
- Hydroplaning – Semi-trucks can indeed hydroplane when water doesn’t flow past the tire’s grooves fast enough. Such incidents can happen when the temperature drops just enough for the ice on the road to melt.
- Skidding – When black ice covers the asphalt, there will be zero friction, and the tires can completely lose their grip on the road. A driver can lose control of his truck and have a hard time maneuvering in a safe direction once it starts skidding on ice.
- Crashing on snowbanks – Trucks that hydroplane or skid can end up in snowy ditches on the side of the road. Snowbanks may give the impression of a cushy landing, but truckers can still sustain injuries if they crash into a snowbank.
- Getting involved in single-vehicle or multiple-vehicle crashes – Any of the above can lead to head-on collisions with another vehicle. A multi-car pileup can happen if the accident is on a busy highway. These are the most fatal because the vehicles involved can roll over, endangering the lives of drivers, passengers, and other motorists.
Health Hazards for Truckers During Winter
Truckers can still sustain injuries even when they don’t get into vehicular accidents. The fact that they are working outdoors in the middle of winter exposes them to a bunch of health risks. After all, the heated cab of a truck may be warm and cozy, but there are times when truckers have to step outside and be subjected to harsh winter conditions.
Below are some of the common injuries and illnesses that truckers may experience while working in winter.
- Frostbite – Uncovered parts of the body can have permanent tissue damage if they’re exposed to the winter air and freezing temperature long enough.
- Hypothermia – This happens when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it. People often don’t recognize that they’re already experiencing hypothermia, which makes it even more dangerous.
- Trench foot – Painful blisters can form on a trucker’s feet if they get drenched or exposed to icy water for a long time. Other symptoms include wrinkly, blotchy skin, numbness, itching, tingling, and pain when something warm touches the feet.
- Injuries due to slipping, falling, and tripping – Winter turns every exposed surface wet, icy, and slippery. Even getting out of the truck can be dangerous if the running board is covered in ice. Truckers can suffer sprains, bruises, and broken limbs if they lose their balance while out of their trucks.
What Can Injured Truck Drivers Do?
Truckers who work for a trucking company or distribution company must be aware of the health benefits they’re entitled to receive, especially if they drive in winter. If they fall ill, get injured, or get into an accident while on the job, they can seek medical assistance and financial compensation from their employers or the third-parties at fault, if there are any.
Truck Driver Rights is a legal consultation and services firm that specializes in representing truckers in personal injury, insurance, and employment dispute cases. Our lawyers have over 20 years of experience in this field. We staunchly fight for our clients’ rights and strive to achieve favorable legal outcomes.
Contact us if you need legal advice and representation for trucking accidents and personal injury claims this winter season.