Winter Driving

This is true too, especially if you're causing whiteouts of your own behind your truck! Greater risk of someone running into your back. Most likely 4 wheelers, which usually go faster than trucks, and especially 4wd/awd vehicles!

I used to own a Subaru SVX with sophisticated all wheel drive system. Sometimes I just don't realize how slippery the road has become, as the wheels just don't slip. In a 2wd you'd realize it when the wheel started to slip and slow down (if you're wise!) But all wheel drive/4wd only helps you get going, when you brake it's using all 4 wheels just like every other car! AWD/4wd won't help at all! Something many people don't realize.

 

Couple quick images of wreckage last month. The one in the ditch is my truck. The other was one we passed.

Great examples why none of us should ever let anyone push us outside our comfort zone!

 

I would suggest the following in inclement weather; Monitor the cb. Ask how far the bad weather extends? How are the road conditions? If there are accidents try and find out where and how bad. If the road is closed seek a safe haven to park and wait out the storm.

As for actually driving in bad weather of course slow down. The rule of thumb I use is if I cannot safely maintain 40 mph on the road then I am better off parking it and letting the road crews do their jobs. By the time you get up, the roads should be in much better condition. The only exception I make to this is if I am within an hour or so of reaching the edge of the bad weather (as relayed by other drivers coming from the opposite direction). On these occasions I will push through the storm, knowing that once I break through I will be able to increase my speed again.

 

Trucking- I would like to take a moment and personally thank you for saying out loud what I think a lot of us are already thinking. I know those thoughts go through my mind a lot and in fact I have apologized on the cb to other drivers for "slowing them down". So far, they have all replied that I am doing the right thing by staying in my comfort zone. My problem is, none of it is very comfortable right now! I sure will be glad when spring is here and we can actually begin to enjoy the open road!

I work for the same co as the driver that was in the avalanche and while my dispatcher sometimes gets a little frustrated with me, no one has ever given me any crap because I shut down in bad weather.

Again, thanks for your comments....it is so nice to hear it from someone other than that little voice in the back of my head.

 

Right on!

The one who makes the decision is the one who has the wheel in their hands.
I'd rather be safe and get my ##### chewed out than run like Hell and end up there.