Weather decisions - Driving in inclament weather

Do they understand that bunching up like it's a race at Talladega in bad weather is not only boring, but could get someone killed?
Everytime we get bad weather, whether it's heavy rain or snow, I see these idiots getting in a big pack of say 10 trucks, all tailgating each other, usually blocking up both lanes. Do they know that if they're in the middle of that pack, they're literally just along for the ride, and nothing they can do about it when the inevitable happens?
Do you really trust your life with Billy Bob in his clapped out Pete 379, or some clown in a Volvo with his headphones on and feet on the dash? Because if you're one of those that ride in those packs I usually see, that's the reality you're facing- putting your career in the hands of whoever is in front, or behind you.

Spread out, run your own deal, and let Murphy sort out the rest.

 

Beyond maintaining your job, or the ability to get another one, what if someone loses their life because of your participation in one of these crashes. Will you be able to live with yourself?

Even more troubling, from the perspective of a truck driver, is the recent trend in litigation with truckers being at fault for everything, even when they didn't do anything wrong. It has become very common for courts and juries to place the blame on the trucker for simply doing their job. Look at the Werner Enterprises verdict where the other driver crossed the median, intoxicated and speeding, yet Werner and their driver were found responsible for nearly $100 million judgement.

Also don't think for one second that just because you were doing your job that you won't pay, or the company's insurance will cover it. The driver in the Werner case is on the hook for $14 million of the judgment, so the court will garnish every check he ever earns for the rest of his life, probably take everything he owns and can even take his life insurance and retirement (if he has any). I have seen the results of "just doing my job" cost employees everything they own.

And it doesn't need to result in a death, or even life threatening injuries. The legal system ahs become very good at empowering juries to deal out "social justice" where they levy large judgements in the name of protecting society, even from minor incidents.

 

Absolutely agree!!!! My personal philosophy after 25+ as a firefighter/paramedic driving fire engines and now 4 years driving overweight commercial vehicles (in Utah, Nevada and Idaho) snow is this: when it gets wet, slick, or just sketchy I don't remotely trust any other drivers in 4 or 18+ wheelers ..... If it gets a little sketchy I'll park it.... And if I have to drive it for whatever reason I'm giving myself tons of space and driving slow. I don't care what other drivers around me or what time the load is delivered. My family, my rig, and bystanders safety are the priority.

 

That'll be appealed i would think .

 

It has been, the appellate court agreed with the lower court and upheld the jury award.

Werner petitioned the Texas Supreme Court in 2023 and the court finally heard oral arguments in Dec. 2024. A decision is coming soon, but most legal analysts don't think Werner will prevail based on how the courts have arrived at their decision.

This case is now 10 years old already and hasn't come to a conclusion. This is part of what is wrong with out legal system today.

 

i agree but to find guilt on an innocent party is not equal protection under the law .

 

####... That's just wrong...

 

I’m not driving yet in a rig but being almost 60 years old and seeing the wrecks I’ve seen… I always keep my distance and stay back far enough to avoid the mess ahead of me. I don’t run in the pack ahead or behind me. I don’t worry about what time I get somewhere as long as I get there safe without any damage. I’m currently looking for a job as a driver and I know how far I need to stay back to stop safely. Snow is bad enough but ice is a different beast.

 

Preachin' to the choir, my friend.