Weather decisions - Driving in inclament weather

Ultimately, this decision comes down to each individual and their circumstances. My father, also a trucker, has shared many horror stories about winter weather. He told me years ago never to drive beyond my experience. If I am not 100% sure, stay parked. I have recounted this story many times. Years ago, I was stopped in Amarillo, Texas, primarily because I-40 was iced over. The next morning, another driver and I were talking over breakfast, and he told me he had a hot load and wanted to get home. I had already called my company and was advised to stay put. Later that afternoon, I left and headed eastbound. About two miles east, I saw that driver's truck being pulled out of the median, and the trailer had been ripped open. I knew it was him because I watched him leave the truck stop. I don't care what it is, no load is worth your life or your reputation as a safe driver! If in doubt, think before you make what might be the worst mistake of your life!

 

one thing I've always told new guys, "The most important thing to learn is when to park it"

 

In the famous words of Marlin Perkins... "I'll be observing from the comfy confines of my lair, whilst sipping the nectar of Gods, while Jim attempts to navigate the icy roads near the crocodile farm".

Love,

Happily Retired Frank

 

Man, when I can't see more than two feet in front of my truck, I drive 55 mph and hope for the best. I got youtube on the dash covering my gauges to educate me on driving in zero visibility conditions. Yes, I am joking.

 

One of the problems is you can keep your distance and proper spacing and I typically always do this. It’s just natural to me at this point. However, other vehicles only see this as an open space and other vehivles just keep slipping right in front of you over and over and taking away that proper spacing. I just drove through Southern California and if I had a dollar for every time, a car changed lanes directly in front of me within less than 10 feet of me while braking at the same time, I could retire right now. It’s a daily thing now. Bad driving habits have grown exponentially.

The other day, while out at a receiver, a truck driver, approached me and wanted me to back his truck in for him. It was a very tight spot and many of the Drivers were struggling to get in there. Because he didn’t speak English I thought he was asking me to help guide him in and I said sure. And I was trying to explain to him with hand emotions, how he should back in the facility. At this facility, you had to back in just into the yard off of the street at an angle. He handed me his keys. Lol then I realized he wanted me to do it and I told him I can’t do that. I would get fired, his smile Quickly disappeared from his face. And a word starting with F and another that sounds like the letter “U” was spoken. He continued around the facility approaching driver after driver asking them to back his truck in and was turned down over and over. The driver then pulled up in front of the gate and blocked it so nobody else could get in or out. Because he was mad. It’s getting unbelievable out here. I see stuff every day, I say “can’t you try” I understand backing is a developed skill But if you can’t even minimally back a truck up how did you get your CDL? That’s what I was thinking?

 

So to the new drivers out there, I would suggest watching some videos, some of the scenes are weather-related in the following videos ...







Now yesterday I spent my morning watching three of my trucks ditching themselves. On these trucks, I can download the videos from the system on board. ALL of them had one thing in common - they were going too fast.

So that is two loads that were lost and three trucks that will be totaled out. The three trailers are off the scrap pile too.

I am not happy about it, but one of the drivers was in a hurry to get to the receiver for some reason, don't know yet what his motivation was. I haven't talked to them; just know he and his dog are alright, and more importantly, the dog. He was going 65 when he should have been doing under 45, came around a corner, and lost control. The load didn't shift when it started to tip, it just pulled the truck into the ditch by sheer momentum.

Another one decided to ignore the red lights in front of him a 1/4 mile away. I saw a solid wall of red clearly, and so did everyone in the office who viewed the video, but he didn't. He talked to the safety girl, and she said he claimed he never saw any lights until he was right on top of the pickup, which he hit. He sent it flying into the center of the freeway while he went right into a deep ditch, no one else was hit. They had to cut a hole in the roof to get him out. The video showed him doing 50 and having a very hard braking event before hitting the pickup.

The third was a joke, the driver was going along at 40mph and another ***** clown passed him and lost control, now while it wasn't all his fault, he should have stayed at the truck stop or asked for a hotel room for a couple of days. While his speed wasn't as critical as the other two, he did not have control of his truck when the other driver lost control and hit him, he could not stop but put it in the ditch on its side with another truck hitting the trailer that was half on the road.

 

Frank, just curious.....with all his animal background, were you and ol' Marlin buds?

 

The plaintiff's attorneys have proven, to some extent, that the defendent (Werner/driver) were negligent in some way. Maybe the driver was doing 66, in a 65. Or riding in the left lane, not passing anyone. Or , God forbid, they were on their phone. A reason can always be found, you have to make it stick.

 

From a Cracker Jack box?