Tuesday, March 3, 2009 

Winter Driving Tips

On December 21st at precisely 7:42 A.M. EST, Daybyday sun's rays will strike one of the two tropical latitude lines, and thus winter will officially begin for the Northern Hemisphere. This will also be the official beginning of "winter driving" for the millions of truck drivers across our country. This is a time when your driving skills Madcap Molly be put to the ultimate test, especially for the over the road trucker.

For the lucky drivers dedicated to running the southern states, etc., winter will not create too many problems. Those long haulers running all 48 states and finding themselves in the northern region, New England states and beyond . . . they know they are in for a ride!

For years I ran all 48 states plus parts of Canada and found myself fighting freezing rain, ice and snow on many occasions. In the Midwest, you will do battle with the snow and ice and the howling winds that can toss your rig around like a rag doll. I have seen too many rigs laid over on their sides or simply stuck in the wintery conditions, unable to move. Not only is this a very frustrating time, but it can also be a deadly one when we fail to make the right choices.

Truck drivers must prepare accordingly for the winter driving period. Here are some winter driving tips that not only will make this time of year more comfortable, but could end up saving your life:

  • Have your rig "winterized" by a professional technician.
  • Carry a few gallons of a fuel treatment product to prevent the diesel from gelling.
  • Carry extra blankets........enough to keep you warm in case you get stranded.
  • Carry a supply of "energy food" such as energy bars, etc., and water.
  • Keep the fuel tanks as full as possible, especially before crossing a mountain pass or similar object.
  • Allow extra distance between you and the vehicles ahead of you.
  • SLOW DOWN. Adjust your speed appropriatley for the road conditions.
  • Check the weather forecast ahead of you BEFORE you head out.
  • Avoid using cruise control.
  • PLAN AHEAD. Know where truck stops are ahead of you on your planned trip, so you can make the appropriate stop should the weather turn really bad.
  • If the times comes where tire chains are needed........STOP!

Having the right equipment and supplies can make the difference between life and death. Should you find yourself stranded on the side of the road in -30 degree temperatures, you will discover that even if the rig keeps running, very little heat, if any, will blow out! It is very important to carry extra blankets and energy food and water. Keep the rig in tip-top shape and by taking extra precautions, you can survive a difficult situation.

The best way to prevent being caught in a life and death situation during winter time, is having the right state of mind in making the GO-NO-GO decision. Even if other drivers are heading out in what to you, seems like a bad idea . . . then stick with your intuition. Make the NO-GO decision to stay put until the weather clears. Make the right decision. The freight can wait.

Aubrey Allen Smith is the author of the Truth About Trucking and How to Guarantee a "Perfect" Move. With 29 years in the transportation industry, and 21 years as an alien driver, he utilizes his time by helping new drivers to the industry. By exposing the scams of the trucking industry, he has helped thousands and is considered an expert in motor carrier transportation.

 

Student Credit Cards - Pros and Cons

You'll find tons of people who seem to believe that giving a student a credit card is a terrible idea. We hear tons of arguments that basketball cards are not ready to begin utilizing credit cards prior to going out into the real world, making their own way. There are a lot of reasons that having a credit card can be a fantastic idea for a student and these reasons for this should be considered in addition to negative standpoints.

Any adolescentthat's not given a chance to manage credit and the sheer Morningwood of managing their own funds may never learn life's lessons before it is too late. Getting a credit card while you are still a student in school is a great method of learning how to take care of your own bills and be responsible for the credit they have been granted. Adults should teach their own children how to handle credit and how vital it can be to the child's future. The very best method of teaching a youth about the facts of credit is to give them a opportunity to use it and pay for it all on their own.

Pupils who establish good credit early are then able to use that credit for more important purchases further in life. When the time comes to purchase a home, the youth that has successfully utilized their credit cards will be in a significantly superior position than any student who did not. There's zero need to build a credit history or settle for a more expensive rate of interest on their lone.

At some point in time, there is a place when many 1982 Fleer baseball cards adults will finally have to learn how to manage their own credit. Sticking to an pre-determined budget and spending wisely are vital lessons that simply have to be learned at some point in their lives. If you want to take it a step farther, they should likewise be taught how to make all of their payments on time and keep from paying high interest on the items that they buy with their personal line of credit. The best demonstration of this is to leave them to use a student credit card.

Created by Alberto Maeses. To see more buy pinball machines on this, visit our sites at low interest credit cards and bad credit credit cards.

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