Haulage Tips - Taking Precautions in the Winter Months

Haulage Tips - Taking Precautions in the Winter Months
By Norman Dulwich

Well it's that time again when we all put some extra layers on and take precautions to ensure we stay safe and warm on the roads. Whether you're taking return loads back to where you started out from, or transporting cargo to another location, you need to spend that little bit of extra time ensuring you have a safe load to transport.

Shouldn't you be doing this anyway?

Yes - it should go without saying that properly securing your return loads is one of the most important things to do as a haulage driver. But the winter months are known for throwing a few extra challenges your way. Think of ice and, God forbid, snow for example. It means there is far less margin for error and therefore it is even more important to ensure all cargo is properly secured. And that means not hurrying when you are loading up the lorry.

The truth is that no matter how good a driver you are, anyone and everyone can be caught out by black ice or a slippery patch on the road. If you are experienced you will know how to correct a slide on the ice without panicking. But it is another matter entirely if you have a huge cargo behind you that has a mind of its own.

In this situation, even the smallest slide on ice can turn into a large one if your cargo shifts the weight of your vehicle in the wrong direction. This can be exacerbated if the goods on your return loads are not firmly anchored down.

It's worth checking twice for peace of mind

This is why we would advocate double-checking each cargo before you drive off with it. How secure is it? How safe would it be if the lorry were to slip ever so slightly on the road? You may be eager to get back in the cab and in the warm, but those couple of extra minutes performing one or two additional checks on those return loads will be very well spent. You wouldn't rush off when setting off with your regular cargo jobs so don't rush just because it's a back load.

It is also wise to remember that any journey made during the winter months - at least when we have wintry weather to go with them - will take longer than it would otherwise. Make sure this is accounted for when planning movements and deliveries, so as to minimise any issues or delays. It is usually better to account for delays in advance during the winter so you don't get caught out.

Regardless of how many journeys you make or what cargo you carry, you can see the importance of taking extra care on the roads during colder weather. Having well-secured cargo does not completely get rid of the possibility of a mishap, but it certainly contributes to you having done everything you can to stay safe. And that has to be good news both for you and other road users.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day haulage jobs and return loads in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.