Tag: winter safety

Thawing Winter Roads Make Way for Weight Restrictions

Posted on March 10, 2023 by - driving in winter conditions, Trucking in winter, Winter driving

What is Frost Law?

In many northern states that get a lot of snow during the winter, roads as well as the ground underneath the roads freeze due to moisture trapped beneath roads. When spring comes and the weather starts warming up, the ground underneath roads starts to thaw which causes roads to be more vulnerable to damage during this time, the most common being potholes. This has caused many states and Canadian provinces to enact Frost Law, or Spring Load Restrictions. 

Frost law is a law enforced on roads when the weight capacity of a road per vehicle and the speed limit is reduced significantly to prevent road damage. State and city governments determine the weight limit based on the temperature, moisture content in the soil, and overall road conditions. More weight limits are imposed on roads that are older. Roads made with more modern road technology significantly reduce the amount of moisture retained in the top layers of roads. Sublayers are still, however, subject to varying amounts of moisture. 

When does Frost Law Occur?

Frost Law impositions depend on the state and the city that the road is located in. Roads are most susceptible to damage during the first few weeks of spring thaw. Typically Frost Law is enforced starting in March and ending around June, but this varies from state to state. Weight restrictions remain in effect until most of the moisture beneath roads has dispersed. 

Where does Frost Law Occur?

Frost Law occurs in the following states: 

Idaho
Iowa
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
North Dakota
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Frost Law also occurs in the following Canadian Provinces:

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan

How to know which roads have what restrictions?

Each state’s website has a list of roads and their weight restriction information along with maps highlighting roads that are designated as all-season routes. These roads do not have a weight restriction due to Frost Laws and should be used when driving a vehicle that would be susceptible to these weight restrictions. 

It is important to keep these weight restrictions in mind when traveling through these states and provinces. Traveling on roads affected by Frost Laws in a vehicle exceeding the weight limit can lead to major fines. Be sure to check and plan your route accordingly before you set off to avoid fines and damaging roads with heavy vehicles.

Winter Weather Trucking Tips with ExpressTruckTax

Posted on December 21, 2022 by - driving in winter conditions, Trucking in winter, trucking tire tips for winter, winter, Winter driving

Today December 21st is the first official day of winter and you know what that means? Colder weather. With colder weather comes hazardous driving conditions. Some parts of the country have already had their fair share of winter weather this year and for others, it’s just the beginning. Some parts of the country are also more used to snow and ice than others. Whether you have been trucking during the winter or if this is your first time, below you will find some helpful trucking tips for winter weather travel.

Check Your Truck

Before you depart on your trip you need to check your truck whether or not you are expecting to encounter winter weather. It is always best to be prepared. Make sure your tire pressure is good. Check that your headlights and tail lights are clean and in working condition. Make sure that your truck heater and defroster are operational. It is important that your wipers, lights, and brakes are working properly too. Fueling up beforehand is also essential. It might take a while to get assistance if an accident occurs or if you break down so it is better to be safe than sorry. 

Proper Supplies

Driving in winter weather conditions means that you will need to pack the proper supplies needed for your trips. Make sure that you pack extra clothing layers and winter weather gear, gloves, flashlights, a bag of sand or salt for tire traction, snow scrapers and brushes, blankets, tire chains, and jumper cables.

Travel at Safe Speeds and Distances

When you travel slower it gives you a long time to react if there are vehicles braking up ahead or animals crossing the road and you need to hit the brakes to avoid hydroplaning and causing accidents. Another way to prevent this is to keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you and constantly be aware of your surroundings. If you are on a bridge especially, keep in mind that there might be ice on the road so keep your speed down and make sure to keep extra distance from vehicles.

Stay Parked 

If winter conditions are especially severe, it is okay to stay parked and let your dispatcher know. The delivery can be rescheduled. It is better to be safe than sorry. If a driver is nervous it puts them on edge and which can be very dangerous in hazardous conditions.

Warm Up Windshields

If you are about to depart and your windshield is frozen, make sure to defrost it before setting off. It is important to have visibility in already low visibility conditions. Keep ice off your windshield by warming it up so that you can keep your eyes on the road when driving in wintry conditions. 

Stay Safe

Here at ExpressTruckTax, we want to make sure that you are driving safely during these winter months. Follow the above tips so that you can stay safe on the road during the winter months. Have a Happy Holiday and safe travels from the ExpressTruckTax team!