Truckers and commuters alike know the frustration and danger that road splash and spray can create. Although Congress tried to address the issue with the 1982 Surface Transportation Assistance Act, not too much has been done to tackle the problem on America’s roadways.
Truck manufacturers have also tried to crack down on the issue by incorporating aerodynamic solutions in truck design, but nature still wins at the end of the day. When traveling at high speeds in large objects, water is simply going to end up splashing around and getting turned into spray and mist.
So, How Can Spray and Splash Be Stopped?
Although this vexing problem seems challenging to overcome, a simple solution may be to utilize slotted mudflaps. Equipment like this with a slotted design can reduce splash and spray as moisture has more space to maneuver around instead of directly reflected.
Additional equipment options exist, including textured mudflaps. Using a bristled texture, these types of mudflaps reduce spray by trapping excess moisture along the truck and/or trailer skirting, providing for less spray and the potential for better truck control.
Reducing Spray Can Improve Aerodynamics
It may also be possible to improve aerodynamics through the use of these mudflap designs. Moisture that turns into mist in the air around a truck makes the air heavier. This may be overlooked when sitting still, but it can actually affect high rates of speed.
By reducing spray, a truck may perform better in wet climates or during rain due to improved aerodynamics. This can be especially helpful since these environments tend to be when safety issues require the most attention.
Truck Maintenance is Needed
Adding components to trucks can help, but regular truck maintenance also plays a significant role in reducing spray and splash. A poorly maintained truck or trailer may be more prone to picking up moisture.
As such, it’s recommended to inspect tires regularly. Tires that are worn unevenly can lead to drag and weight alignment issues and pull on the highway. If a worn tire is causing you to pull against the drag constantly, this can lead to the potential for more spray and splash when driving on wet roadways.
Of course, truck maintenance is crucial for overall safety, so don’t wait until a rainy day to do maintenance issues. Instead, follow guidance from your fleet manager and maintenance crew and your truck manufacturer to stay safe, protect others and get where your load needs to be on time.
