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Stopping for weather, especially winter road conditions

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Six9GS, Sep 27, 2020.

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  1. Sep 27, 2020 #1
    Six9GS

    Six9GS Road Train Member

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    One of the things I really like about the company I drive for is that they are fine with my stopping if I feel road conditions are unsafe for me. Considering I have almost no winter driving experience, I'm quite timid in winter road conditions. I have enough of a track record that they know I am not lazy, so I am trusted that I am not abusing it and just being lazy. Even if other drivers are out running in the yuck, they are OK with me stopping if I think I should. As my Driver Leader explained, they can deal with late loads a lot easier than with wrecks, damage, tows, lawsuits, injuries and fatalities. If I don't think I'm safe, stop! I have yet to receive anything resembling push back for stopping and have not gotten any service failures as a result.
    My basic question is, are other companies like this? Are other companies OK with stopping, even if conditions might be considered drivable by others?
    Basically, when I stop because I'm not comfortable with road conditions, I'm gonna stop! If I get fired for it, I'll knowingly stop rather than drive in road conditions I don't think are safe for me. It is my life in that truck. Not theirs!
    But, is this the industry norm? Just curious.
     
    Six9GS, Sep 27, 2020
    Six9GS, Sep 27, 2020
    #1
    alds and Wasted Thyme Thank this.
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  3. Sep 27, 2020 #2
    Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Dave_in_AZ, Sep 27, 2020
    Dave_in_AZ, Sep 27, 2020
    #2
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  4. Sep 27, 2020 #3
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Never used to be that way, it was "press on regardless". 20 mph was better than 0 mph, they figured. Once, coming up double nickel in Ill, it started snowing so hard, you could only see the reflector sticks. I was following a "Silver Dog", and when they pulled off, I was on my own. I "pressed on" at 20 mph, squeezing the color out of the wheel, when I got back, safety dude looks at my "tattletale" disc, "I see you were going 20 mph for over an hour, what gives?" I almost punched him out on the spot. Today, it's just a matter of common sense. Way I figured,( when I had my own) if I lost traction ONCE, next ramp and wait for the salt shaker. If you do risk life and limb, and make it, the company will love you for it, but just once is all it takes. Today, I'd shut 'er down.
     
    201, Sep 27, 2020
    201, Sep 27, 2020
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  5. Sep 27, 2020 #4
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    I sat for an hour once just waiting to get on a freeway after a freezing rain storm. Once I did, I felt the drive axle go sideways at the first bridge, which thankfully was short one.

    That was enough to make me slow down to 15 mph the rest of the way back to the barn, probably for 2 hours.
     
    MACK E-6, Sep 27, 2020
    MACK E-6, Sep 27, 2020
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  7. Sep 27, 2020 #5
    '88K100

    '88K100 Road Train Member

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    Companies are likely ok with your decision, they may not like it and it could mean you will not get great loads.
    I never stop due to weather as I haul time sensitive freight, always have. In the worst of weather here in NW Ontario many nights there are only us Line Haul and Log haulers out on the highway. The rest have packed it in for the night.
     
    '88K100, Sep 27, 2020
    '88K100, Sep 27, 2020
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  8. Sep 27, 2020 #6
    ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Every thing is dictated by insurance and fear of getting sued.

    What do you think will happen when the civil suit from a wreck goes to court. The moment the driver states he didn't want to drive for safety reasons but the company coerced him to drive.... Well that's a 25 million dollar payout right there. Since the coercing happened, the insurance company will refuse to pay out.

    Do all companies worry about that. No, but enough do to keep them honest.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2020
    ZVar, Sep 27, 2020
    ZVar, Sep 27, 2020
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  9. Sep 27, 2020 #7
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I trust those loggers more than anyone else in winter. A bit of snow on a highway is a walk in the park compared to the road off the mountain.
     
    AModelCat, Sep 27, 2020
    AModelCat, Sep 27, 2020
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  10. Sep 27, 2020 #8
    buzzarddriver

    buzzarddriver Road Train Member

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    There may be "Time sensitive freight", but no matter a persons abilities, they can't control the other guy.
    The mentality that "i can't stop for any reason" is just foolhardy.
     
    buzzarddriver, Sep 27, 2020
    buzzarddriver, Sep 27, 2020
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  11. Sep 27, 2020 #9
    smokey12

    smokey12 Road Train Member

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    If you feel like it's not safe then get off the road..you are the captain of your ship, not the driver manager sitting comfortably in their office. Whatever your hauling can wait and it's not worth your life. If you company doesn't agree quit and go elsewhere.
     
    smokey12, Sep 27, 2020
    smokey12, Sep 27, 2020
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  12. Sep 27, 2020 #10
    JC1971

    JC1971 Road Train Member

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    What could happen if you don't stop for bad weather.

     
    JC1971, Sep 27, 2020
    JC1971, Sep 27, 2020
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