Emergency Messaging: Keeping Drivers Safe and Informed 

Thankfully, we’ve reached the end of hurricane season. But the devastation and loss of life from the past two hurricanes that hit the Southeast is still fresh in our minds. From a transportation standpoint, road closures, collapsed bridges, trees, and debris created an array of problems. And many of those problems are still with us today as the rebuilding process is underway.  

Now, we’re transitioning into the winter season…and that can mean blizzards, whiteouts, pass closures and more. But, it’s not just the white stuff. In California, the Santa Ana winds are taking hold, fanning wildfires that are difficult to control. Even the East Coast is experiencing wildfires this fall. 

All of these natural disasters take a toll on commercial truck drivers, especially long-haulers who are navigating through impacted areas. How can they be prepared?     

First, pack your truck with added necessities should you need to drive into an area that could cause delays or unplanned stops. Next, make sure your truck is in prime shape. Lastly, use technology – it can give you a heads-up on where to go and what to avoid.  

In the recent hurricane season, technology helped drivers (through Drivewyze Free) to help them safely navigate impacted areas. Information was provided through the Smart Roadways program as states stepped up to provide commercial drivers with emergency notifications. 

For instance, during Hurricane Helene, for example, the North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee DOTs provided needed messaging on road conditions. All told, 60 geo-fenced locations received emergency messaging, informing drivers of impending road and bridge closures —  even warning of downed trees and road debris in some cases. The busiest location on I-77 for southbound traffic at mile marker 5 saw 23,000 alerts to 14,000 different trucks. Commercial drivers saw different messages as conditions evolved.  

When Drivewyze launched the Smart Roadways program with states, information like this is exactly what was envisioned. When the I-95 bridge collapsed in Pennsylvania and the Frances Scott Key bridge went down after being hit by a container ship, messaging went out to alert drivers.   

The program is all about providing critical information on where and when it’s needed to help drivers safely navigate the roadways.  

Emergency messaging is one of the critical Smart Roadways alerting services that Drivewyze and its state partners offer. Through Drivewyze Free, state sponsored alerts include a combination of virtual public outreach messaging, sudden slowdown alerts, and work zone notifications. State sponsored alerts complement Drivewyze essential alerts such as low bridges, high rollover areas, and steep grades/runaway ramps – which are all provided at no cost to commercial fleets and drivers within Drivewyze Free.    

While using tech can help drivers avoid problem areas in real-time, being prepared with a truck that’s ready for inclement weather is also critical. Here are some tips to ensure you’re prepared: 

Winter Driving: Checklist 

• Do a quick inspection of your truck. Make sure your defroster and heater are working properly.  

• Take a look at your lights. Are they all working? It’s always important to have running lights, but in whiteout conditions, all lights are vital.  

• Check on the windshield wipers, wiper motor, washer fluid, and mirrors. If you know you will be passing through historically snowy areas or states, switch your wiper blades over to winter blades. They are better suited to handle tough winter weather. There’s no reason to venture out into a storm with dirty windows and mirrors. Whatever you can do to enhance your visibility is a must. 

• Are your tires properly inflated and have good tread? It may be legal to run your drive tires down to 2/32nds, but you’ll need more to handle snow and slush. And check the tire pressure before you depart. Keeping your tire pressure at the correct amount is key for the best traction and safest driving. While we’re on the subject of traction, try and keep your fuel tanks as full as possible. The extra weight over the tires helps traction.  

• Is your 5^th wheel properly greased? In cold weather, it’s important that your 5^th wheel is able to move freely, especially when roads may be slick. When a 5^th wheel is in need of grease, it takes more pressure to make your kingpin turn. Something as simple as a well-greased 5^th wheel can be the difference in safely making a turn or not when conditions are sub-par. 

• Extreme cold temperatures are harsh on batteries. It reduces the cranking power of the battery, and it takes much longer to recharge it once it’s cold. It’s a good idea to test your batteries to make sure they are fully charged and load tested; that way, you can reduce the chances of not being able to start your engine. While you’re at it, take a look and make sure the connections are clean and fully tightened.   

• Consider using a fuel supplement like Diesel 9-1-1 to prevent diesel from gelling in sub-30-degree temperatures when you pull over for the day.  

Before departing, it’s a good idea to check the local weather report to see what kind of conditions you should be expecting. Going over a mountain pass? Many mountain passes have social media accounts set up to give live updates on pass conditions, road closures, and travel times. Another “tech” tool you can use is Drivewyze Safety+. Part of this package includes Severe Weather Alerts. These give specific road conditions and location-based hazards due to extreme weather. 

Every driving season has its challenges. And it seems that every season, those challenges become more severe. Being prepared with “tech” and equipment that’s ready for the challenges can help keep you safe as you navigate the nation’s roadways.