Tips for Safe Holiday Driving in Minnesota

November and December are the busiest months of the year for shipments and deliveries. While everyone rushes to get everything on their holiday shopping list, a lot of consumers don’t take the time to think about how their deliveries or the items on their store shelves actually get there. Lots of truck drivers actually enjoy making deliveries during the holidays, and it can be a lucrative time for the trucking industry, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t challenges associated with trucking during the holidays. Read on to learn about a few of the factors that contribute to the difficulty holiday driving in the Minnesota trucking industry and why it’s so important to exercise extra caution.

What makes holiday trucking so dangerous?

There are several different factors that contribute to the danger of holiday trucking. One of the most significant factors at play is the changing weather. As we get further and further into the winter months, precipitation increases, temperatures dip below freezing and high winds blow debris, creating harsh and challenging road conditions for vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Icy roads are incredibly difficult to navigate, and many drivers get in accidents because they lose control of their vehicles.

Another important thing to consider about the holiday season is the fact that the days are getting shorter. Less daylight leads to longer stretches of poor visibility, which is especially hard on truckers who have to pick up long overnight shifts to get their shipments where they need to be. Longer nights can also take a toll on energy levels and mood and make truck drivers feel drowsy and less alert.

On top of the environmental factors that come into play during the holidays, there are also major changes in driving patterns that truck drivers must take into consideration. As people rush out to get their Christmas shopping done or travel to visit friends and family, drivers tend to be in a much bigger hurry on the road, which leads to more accidents for all drivers. Between quick lane changes and higher speeds, it’s essential for safe drivers to be even more cautious around other people on the road during this time of year.

Truckers can’t control how other drivers behave on the road or what conditions are like along their routes, but they can control how they react. Exercising extra caution, reducing driving speed and getting plenty of rest along the way can all contribute to a safer route for drivers who have to make deliveries during the holiday season.

Learn more about trucking services

At K-Way Express, Inc., we know the importance of safe holiday driving in Minnesota, especially as the calendar inches closer to Christmas. We emphasize safety for all of our drivers to ensure that they arrive at their destinations without any accidents or complications. We’ve been providing trucking and logistics services to Minnesota and beyond since 1948, and we continue to be dedicated to the satisfaction of our customers and the quality of our professional trucking services. Give us a call today to find out more about everything that we can offer you.