Mountain driving can be quite intimidating for truck drivers, especially for first time or rookie drivers. Follow these mountain driving tips when traveling on risky terrain:

• Pay close attention to your grade. Always look for the grade signs posted. They should be marked and will give you an idea of what speed you should maintain during your climb or descent.
• Keep your truck going slow and steady. Always creep down the hill and never travel too quickly. Once a truck gets momentum descending a grade, it’s nearly impossible to regain control. Don’t put yourself in that situation.
• Watch the weather and chain up. This will help with trip planning. Mountain weather is unpredictable, so it is good to check the weather the day of your route.
• Don’t tailgate. Leave as much room as possible in front of your truck. Never tailgate on a grade. In case you get in trouble and need to straighten out the truck it’s best to have plenty of room to adjust.
• Regain control of your truck when driving in the mountains. If you feel for whatever reason you are starting to lose control of the truck, try crowding the truck unit to the shoulder of road if possible. This will allow you to catch enough gravel to straighten the unit out.
• Use runaway lanes when necessary. They are there for your safety and the safety of others. If you look in your rear view mirrors and you can read the decals on the trailer, head for the runaway lane. It’s best to get the unit off the road so you aren’t hurt or you don’t harm others on the road.

Source: SmartTrucking (23 Oct 2019)