Snow And Ice Driving

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Brandon1984, Jan 3, 2015.

  1. Brandon1984

    Brandon1984 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 4, 2014
    Colorado
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    Hello

    Just got my CDL in march i haven't yet experienced driving in snow or icy roads
    But i have a feeling i'm going to be forced to drive in it this winter
    So my question is can i be forced to drive in heavy snow fall/ice will i have to worry about losing my job
    trying to keep my csa/cdl clean!
    also i work for werner..
    What are you guys thoughts??
     
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  3. Knucklehead619

    Knucklehead619 Medium Load Member

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    It depends on your employer. Most reputable companies (I'm not sure Werner qualifies as "reputable" but oh well) will rely on a driver's judgement as to weather conditions and whether it is or isn't safe to drive. In the end, as you pointed out it is YOUR CDL and CSA score... if you don't feel safe don't drive. No load or job is worth your life.
     
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  4. Arielit0oo

    Arielit0oo Light Load Member

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    Tacoma, WA
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    ^In a nutshell.

    /thread
     
  5. TomOfTx

    TomOfTx Road Train Member

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    Friendswood, TX
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    You are mandated by existing regulation §392.14 to cease operation of your vehicle in the event road conditions become dangerous. YOU, and only YOU, shall make this determination, not some fool sitting at a desk in their warm office building. Anyone who insists you drive in dangerous conditions is welcome to tell you verbally or in writing that you must drive in these conditions, though I have yet see any dispatcher willing to do so in my 23 years driving. Do what is safe for you as you are the only thing that cannot be replaced in the event of an accident. Three million safe miles driving later I still take the same approach. Safety First, Never Last.....Have a Future, Not a Past. This is how I have reached the point in my trucking career I am at now. There are plenty of better trucking jobs awaiting you in the future when you do what is safe. Just do not be afraid to say NO when necessary.

    http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/392.14?section

    I wish you well. :)
     
  6. sherlock510

    sherlock510 Road Train Member

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    Intercontinental.
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    If you are OTR with a big company you will eventually drive over ice and snow. That's just what truck drivers do. Although, if ya see trucks/cars spun out left and right or the storm is too heavy then park.
    You make the call when to roll and when to park, just don't be the guy that runs to the truck stop if it's not sunny out...
     
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  7. Flybynight041

    Flybynight041 Medium Load Member

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    Dec 9, 2014
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    If you're only going to drive when the weather is sunny and warm, then why did you bother getting your CDL?

    That freight still needs to move.
     
    G.Anthony Thanks this.
  8. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Houston
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    Cars and trucks spun out have been my primary sign to shut it down as well. It has never failed me either.
     
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  9. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Houston
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    That's not what he was saying, you do this way too much on here. When some rookie ask a legit question it's not an invitation for you to look down your nose and throw out a ridiculous comment. Again he simply asked if he was going to be forced to drive, nothing was said about his unwillingness to drive in winter weather.
     
  10. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    Great Post
     
  11. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    I'll start off by saying this, I am still new here, under 200 posts thus far, and as a result, that should have been enough time to get to know the habits and posting's of all of you, but frankly at times, I do get confused, so I am still learning about all of you.

    This is true, at one place I had worked at, the guys would call those other guys's, Mary's. Or, fair weather drivers. But for a newbie/rookie, the first few storms are scary, as scary as going up or certainly coming down, a mountain. They get white knuckles, and I'll just bet, you DID TOO. I know I did, several times, till I felt comfortable enough to keep driving, just a whole LOT slower. I once had a line maybe 2-3 miles long behind me one time, as I was driving south on the NJTP. I was in the right lane. Snowing like all heck. I was doing all of 30 mph. someone passed me and shouted out, "hey (XYZ) driver, move your butt". someone in that LONG LINE behind me answered back, "shut up stupid, he's doing just fine, and that's why we are behind him".

    I will never forget that day, as I felt comfortable with my skills doing my job, under the adverse conditions. And to this day if I get caught up in a storm, I try to go as far as I can, in that right lane, at or about, 30 mph.

    As I said above, till I get to know everyone here and thier posting habits, good, bad, or ugly.
     
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