How Worsening Weather Over the Years Has Affected the Trucking Industry

In recent years, we have been experiencing more frequent severe weather events all over the world. From massive forest fires to hurricanes, ice storms and just about everything in between, the Earth has been throwing all it’s got our way. Naturally, this means a lot of concrete issues for the trucking industry and significantly more precarious situations for drivers. What are some of the main issues drivers and other members of the supply chain face??

One of the most obvious risks faced by drivers during weather events is the weather itself. Sleet, fog, smoke, and a host of other types of weather can make driving very precarious. Visibility can be affected, and this can cause accidents as well as traffic build-ups so it’s necessary that the drivers take extra precaution when faced with these situations. Unfortunately, this will often mean delays in freight delivery for events entirely outside of the driver’s control. Trying to alter routes and plan as best as possible for delayed travel times is the best plan of action.

Road closures are one of the main issues caused by increasingly severe weather events. If there is an ice storm, large fire, or a range of other events occurring, then this could cause closures of major roads and highways for resident safety. This can make it extremely difficult for drivers to get to their destinations, resulting in large detours, heavy traffic and even the inability to get to their destinations at all sometimes. Delays in pick-ups and deliveries will almost certainly happen in these instances. On top of that, drivers could run out of driving hours while stuck due to road closures. This means that they would have to pull over and rest before being permitted to drive again, sometimes in places they are unfamiliar with or that don’t have the proper facilities for them. This is a significant burden for drivers to bare and unfortunately these weather incidents are only becoming more popular.

Storms and other events also cause demand for certain products to skyrocket. When people hear of a large weather event incoming they might rush to stock up on essentials like water, baby food, non-perishables, toilet paper, etc. In turn, the demand for these products rises and there is a need for more drivers on the road to acquire more. This creates a sticky situation for companies and suppliers alike. It is being recommended that people stock up on essential survival goods over time if possible to try and alleviate any supply chain stressors like this if and when it is possible.?

When driving it’s important to monitor the weather forecast along your route. Naturally, unforeseen events will happen, but when possible, it can be extremely helpful to be able to try and plan ahead for forecasted weather events. Ensuring all of the necessary safety equipment is on board the vehicle before every trip is another important step to take in order to have some necessities in a time of crisis. Weather events are something that affect everyone throughout the supply chain, especially the drivers, and so we all have to try and be understanding of how just how difficult this occupation can be.