Things to do before you start a lorry journey

Preparing for bad weather when making a lorry journey

Before starting your journey, you should check the latest weather reports and warnings and make any adjustments to your schedule. If you make safety checks and alterations to your vehicle that take into account what the weather will be doing, you and your goods will arrive exactly where and when you should be - with no penalties.

You can access radio reports on weather and traffic conditions on the Highways Agency website - Opens in a new window.

Fog

Foggy conditions are one of the biggest hazards you are likely to face as a driver. Fog affects your judgment, so it should have a huge impact on your speed and your distance. If there is fog ahead of you, then you should reduce your speed in anticipation.

High winds

These can develop at any time of the year, and with little warning. Always take time to check the weather reports before your journey as well as regularly throughout your driving period.

Ice

Patches of ice on the road are usually extremely hard to see and anticipate. Sudden temperature drops can also turn surface water into ice. Traction may be a problem, particularly if your vehicle is not fitted with traction control. To counteract this, you should keep your wheels turning as slowly as possible particularly when pulling away.

Rain

Rain can make driving extremely difficult, so you'll need to make allowances for the road surface becoming more slippery. Your view ahead may be reduced and your stopping distances increased.

Snow

Falling snow dramatically reduces visibility, so make sure that you reduce your speed and use dipped headlights. Snow on the ground also affects braking distances, so make sure that you allow for this by leaving a larger gap between you and the next vehicle.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Use traffic information to plan the best route for your lorry
• Preparing for bad weather when making a lorry journey
• Avoiding bridge strikes when driving a lorry
• Find truckstops along your route
• Know the drivers' hours rules
• Making sure you are fit to drive a lorry
• Ensuring your lorry is safe to drive
• Securing loads carried by your lorry