Miranda Blake
Notizie e aggiornamenti • 3 leggere

A truck driver’s guide to winter in Europe

Creato: 16/10/2024

Aggiornato: 11/11/2024

Truck drivers face a unique set of challenges and responsibilities in the colder seasons. There’s a surge in serious road traffic accidents with 33% of insurance claims made during this time deemed severe.

And so, preparation is crucial. Here, we guide on how truck drivers can stay safe both on the road and inside their cab this winter.

Navigating stormy conditions

It’s key to drive slowly and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles – especially in flooded areas. You should put your truck in low gear and keep your engine revving.

The following tips will also help with driving in stormy weather.

• If you lose control on surface water, slow down by releasing your foot off the accelerator – don’t attempt to brake or steer suddenly.
• Higher vehicles are more vulnerable to intense winds – make sure to hold the wheel tightly and avoid bridges where possible.
• Travel with the curtain sides open if your truck is empty. This way, there's less to catch in the wind.

Managing snow and ice

Going at a reduced pace and keeping the required distance from the vehicle in front is also something you should do when there’s ice and snow. In fact, it’s recommended that you increase braking distance to 10 times the normal amount – however, it can be difficult to judge this. An Admiral survey found that black ice causes 10% of accidents during winter. You can tell if you're driving on black ice if the road looks wet but there's no spray coming from other vehicles.

Other tips to help you drive in the snow include maintaining regular truck inspections and ensuring you have all the necessary equipment before your journey, such as jump cables and de-icing tools. Plus, always be aware of the gear you should be in, as this could save you from losing control of your truck. On flat surfaces, drive in the highest gear possible. When going downhill, utilise the engine brake and travel in low gears. To avoid wheel spinning, use a higher gear when pulling away – this will give you the traction needed to move the vehicle.

Ensuring visibility

With hazardous highways and external factors negatively impacting vision and causing truck accidents, visibility is crucial in all weathers, especially when it’s chillier. So, make sure to check for chips or cracks in your windscreen, as these can spread quicker in the colder months.

In addition, you’ll want the highest level of visibility for your lights, licence plate, and windshield. As well as cleaning off any snow or dirt, it’s wise to regularly wash your vehicle to avoid road salt accumulating (this triggers corrosion).

If visibility is poor and conditions get to the point of treacherous, then it's best to get off the road and rest at the nearest truck stop. If you end up needing to exceed your driving hours, then you can use a special dispensation for drivers who are stuck in unique circumstances like extreme weather events.

Assessing tyre tread depth

Low temperatures can also impact the functionality of your tyres as they can trigger reduced air pressure. And with worn tyres unfortunately adding to your stopping distance and reducing your level of stability on wet and icy roads, this low tread will cause sliding.

As a result, it’s a good idea to check tread depth prior to each journey in stormy and other harsh conditions – this way, you’ll be aware when you need to deal with any problems that arise.

Following winter tyre regulations

It’s vital to know about the varying winter tyre regulations too. Some countries oblige drivers to carry sandbags and shovels, while snow chains are mandatory in others. Continental has collated a simple guide to the winter tyre requirements for the UK and Europe.

From November 1st, winter tyres are compulsory in:

  • Austria
  • Czech Republic
  • Finland
  • France
  • Lithuania
  • Serbia

In other countries, they’re mandatory later in the month or December or they’re dependent on weather conditions. As for studded tyres, while they’re allowed in the below countries, there’s strict rules surrounding them. It’s best to check the regulations for each country before your journey.

  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Great Britain
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Norway
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine

Bringing relevant supplies

You’ll also need to think about how you can look after yourself in winter. This will sound obvious, but make sure you have access to sufficient food and drink. With there being an increased chance of road closures during the colder seasons, you may not always be able to get to a truck stop. Come prepared with snack or meal options, along with ideally a hot beverage in a flask.

Especially if you’re unable to access a place to rest, ensure you can stay warm. For example, take along rechargeable heating packs. Likewise, always have warm and spare clothing at hand; this will be particularly helpful if garments get cold and wet through tasks such as getting rid of snow from your windshield.

Ideally, you’ll have a winter survival kit – consisting of the likes of food, drink, a portable phone charger, a torch, blankets, a high-vis vest, a shovel, and durable walking shoes.

Guarantee access to rest stops with intruck

While the weather isn’t in your control, protecting yourself and others on the road is. This includes making sure you have a safe and secure place to park as soon as possible. Our intruck app or maps page will tell you nearby service providers along with information around the facilities each offers.

You can download the intruck app today by clicking this link.

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lunedì 23 dicembre 2024 • Notizie e aggiornamenti

CAN LORRIES DRIVE IN EUROPE ON SUNDAYS?

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Navigating Sunday truck driving bans across Europe requires a comprehensive understanding of country-specific regulations, seasonal variations, and effective strategies. By investing in thorough route planning, staying informed, optimising operations, and leveraging technology, fleet companies can mitigate the impact of these restrictions. In this blog, we explore the different rules in a variety of European countries and dive further into the best ways to adapt to them. Each country has its own laws around Sunday driving bans, and these can vary widely. From 12 AM until 10 PM on the last day of the week, trucks that exceed 7.5 tonnes aren’t allowed to operate. However, this isn’t necessarily a deterrent. Combined transport operations can enjoy special allowances, with rail and road transport permitted within 200 kilometres of loading or unloading stations, and port or road transport allowed within 150 kilometres of ports. Moving specific perishable goods is also exempt, such as fresh milk, dairy products, meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables. Additionally, certain vehicles and operations aren’t subject to the ban, such as emergency vehicles involved in recovery, towing, or breakdown services. In this territory, driving restrictions are similar to those in Germany, applying to lorries surpassing 7.5 tonnes. These embargos occur on Sundays and public holidays from 12 AM to 10 PM. On top of this, there are restrictions on Saturdays and the day before national holidays, with driving prohibited from 10 PM to 12 AM. And during the summer, specific Saturdays have bans from 7 AM to 7 PM. Exemptions exist for certain goods, including dairy and meat items, as well as emergency vehicles. Violations of these prohibitions can lead to significant fines ranging from €750 to €3,750 for individuals and companies, respectively. Trucks aren’t allowed to be out on the roads on Sundays and public holidays from 9 AM to 10 PM in Italy. It’s worth noting that in June, July, August, and September, the embargo starts earlier at 7 AM – though it still ends at 10 PM. The country also imposes additional restrictions during the summer months. In July, there's a Saturday embargo from 8 AM to 4 PM, and this extends from 8 AM to 10 PM in August. While these are the general rules, it's crucial to know that there might be local variations or temporary restrictions on certain routes. Like with France and Germany, some exceptions may also apply for specific types of goods or emergency services. As for Spain, this presents a much more complex scenario. There’s a patchwork of regional bans, particularly in Catalonia. Driving restrictions for trucks can change based on local regulations, public holidays, and specific routes. Truckers operating here should consult local guidelines to ensure compliance. On top of the Sunday and holiday injunctions, there are also limitations on certain Saturdays during the summer months. These generally apply from 8 AM to 12 AM, particularly in July and August, when traffic is heavier due to vacationers. In terms of other European nations, there are many that also enforce their own Sunday driving bans. Austria, for example, dictates that trucks that weigh over 7.5 tonnes aren’t allowed on the roads on Sundays from 12 AM to 10 PM. Switzerland maintain something similar, with vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes unable to drive throughout the entire day. To navigate Sunday lorry driving restrictions, effective route planning is crucial. By using advanced technology and strategic thinking, fleet operators can optimise their processes. Employing modern GPS systems and enables fleets and their drivers to identify the most efficient journeys while avoiding areas with driving bans. These tools can provide real-time updates on road conditions, ensuring that truckers can make informed decisions on the go. Another idea is to explore different ways to get to the place in question. While it may be tempting to stick to the most direct path, alternative routes can often save time and avoid potential fines. Such detours may be slightly longer but can help circumvent areas with stringent embargos, allowing for smoother operations. Given the possibility of setbacks caused by traffic congestion or driving embargos, it’s also wise for fleet companies to build additional time into their schedules. A proactive approach provides better opportunity for deliveries to remain timely – even in the face of unexpected challenges. Staying updated on regulations and real-time traffic conditions is just as crucial. 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lunedì 16 dicembre 2024 • Notizie e aggiornamenti

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Miranda Blake

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mercoledì 20 novembre 2024 • Notizie e aggiornamenti

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Miranda Blake

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