Winter weather driving and lane sensors in trucks.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Goldenfan, Feb 9, 2021.

  1. Goldenfan

    Goldenfan Heavy Load Member

    878
    754
    Apr 8, 2013
    WI
    0
    Okay I'm not a driver but someone who is considering it. Here is something that I just experienced last Thursday in my car. I live in Southwest WI and drove to Minneapolis to leave for vacation and as many here know we had horrible winter conditions in the midwest. As I slowly drove on the 2 lane roads of Northeast IA to get to Lansing IA then crossed the bridge to go to La Crosse you couldn't see the road so you're driving hugging the center line and yes I know it I was over at times.There was little traffic obviously. For a long section I used the slots cut in the center line of the road as my guide. Something I thought of that I've read here many times is the lane sensors a lot of companies have on their trucks. I had a T/T following me from Waukon IA to Lansing IA. What do the companies that have them do to the drivers that are in those situations? Are the sensors beeping constantly? Do the companies hold that against the drivers. This is a very rural area so there are no pull offs or truck stops around once you get going. You couldn't see anything and the plows weren't running at 2 pm other than keeping a long hill open by Marquette IA so traffic could get up and down.

    In the section between Prairie du Chien and Waukon I always seemed to have the few people out following me even though I wanted them to go around so I could follow them instead. I got over a couple of times when I could so someone could go around but they stayed behind me.

    We made it safely to our destination and are in South Florida where the weather is much nicer. Mother nature will kick me in the nuts Wednesday when I get back and it's 2 for a high but it's nice now. My wife just got a message that it's -15 in our town.

    I don't know if this question has been asked before but I thought of it that day.
     
    austinmike Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

    3,757
    6,199
    Apr 9, 2009
    Humboldt, Sk
    0
    The newer trucks with lane departure warning have a switch that disables the alarm for 15 minutes. They were thinking it’s for construction zones that may have lines all over the place. But it could be used in the situation you describe.
     
    firemedic2816 and Goldenfan Thank this.
  4. ibcalm19

    ibcalm19 Road Train Member

    1,440
    2,404
    Nov 30, 2015
    Pennsylvania
    0
    The best thing is if you know a storm is coming don't drive (I don't). The best thing to do is if you get caught in one is find some where safe to park. For me nowadays I don't take unnecessary risk with my well being. Always use wisdom
     
    firemedic2816 and austinmike Thank this.
  5. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    The sensors are camera-based. In those conditions the cameras often don't work in the trucks I drove.
     
    Goldenfan Thanks this.
  6. DARKNIGHTRUCKER

    DARKNIGHTRUCKER Light Load Member

    225
    272
    May 3, 2020
    0
    If the roads are bad I just pull over until the precipitation stops and road crews clear the roads . Or wait till it gets above freezing at least .
     
    firemedic2816 and ibcalm19 Thank this.
  7. mitrucker

    mitrucker Road Train Member

    4,854
    7,741
    Dec 15, 2010
    Lapeer, MI
    0
    If you’re in the midwest, it could take a while for it to get above freezing.
     
    DoubleO7, tscottme, nredfor88 and 2 others Thank this.
  8. DARKNIGHTRUCKER

    DARKNIGHTRUCKER Light Load Member

    225
    272
    May 3, 2020
    0
    That's why I put the "or" there lol
     
    Snailexpress and mitrucker Thank this.
  9. freebeertomorrow

    freebeertomorrow Heavy Load Member

    906
    1,703
    Mar 19, 2016
    Indiana
    0
    there lane departure in the macks will not work and give you an orange light on the dash. typically, the cameras will be covered in snow/ice long before the roadway is. this goes for the crash mitigation system, as well.

    drove through that 10" cincinnati got last night, twice. was a long night.
     
    tscottme and firemedic2816 Thank this.
  10. firemedic2816

    firemedic2816 Road Train Member

    1,001
    1,355
    May 14, 2016
    Walton Kentucky
    0
    My neck of the woods I live off Exit 171 on I-75
     
  11. freebeertomorrow

    freebeertomorrow Heavy Load Member

    906
    1,703
    Mar 19, 2016
    Indiana
    0
    did you get to enjoy any of the gridlock?
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.