what could I have done differently?

In the future when in doubt, about the road conditions, stop make a few calls, then decide if it is worth driving or not.. I know drivers can be a pain when it comes to the cb, but next time try to ask someone who might have just come from that area what the road conditions are. But still stay put until you can verify it is safe to move on.. Depending on how far apart your previous mishaps were you might be safe, then again might not.. I don't know who you work for,but keep your head high and hope for the best out come...

 

I'm a female driver as well and have found out that when you ask a specific question on the cb (e.g. eastbound hows the weather looking behind you or anyone coming from IN know how the roads are) most drivers will give you the 411 without the bs. I wish you the best in this situation and other than getting the weather report or calling the 800# for weather updates...the cb is the next best thing.

 

The CB is really worthless for information beyond the next 10 or 15 miles . Even in good weather if they tell you about something 50 miles down the road it's been almost an hour since they were there and will be that long before you get there . A lot can change in 1 1/2 to 2 hours . When roads are bad and traffic is going 45 m.p.h. or less that applies even more . A couple of weeks ago I went West on I-40 through Little Rock to pick up I-30 West . Even 50 miles out of Little Rock I was hearing on the CB to avoid I-440 due to backups . I ignored the warnings and there were no backups by the time I was on I-440 .

 

Yeh, but even UPS will monitor 19 when it gets bad. Thankfully.

I got into a slide in Idaho on ice. Had UPS not had his radio on, I mostl likely would have hit about mid ways of his trailer. Thankfully he was listening, and pulled up. I got the truck stopped, about the same exact spot he had been sitting in.

 

When you noticed the road was solid ice, were you already passing the other trucks that were parked on the shoulder? How far apart were the two trucks you were trying to park between? Without knowing the circumstances, Id probally have parked at the very back or the front of the line of trucks...rather than trying to fit between two others. Then, parking at the very back would have left you wide open for someone to hit if they lost control, so tough call. Although, sometimes sayin' is easier than doin' so...

 

You tried to do things right.You said minor damage,right?I admire the fact that you are seeking input from all of us.And that you are not trying to blame anyone but yourself.I wasn`t in INdiana that morning,neither was your safety dept.My feeling is that if you have been this honest and straight with your company up til now then they would be crazy to let a good driver go over a minor mishap in bad conditions.Only the driver should decide when to park.On ice I`ve had the wind slide the truck sideways a couple of feet after I`ve stopped.I would have been mad if you hit my truck-until I saw the ice.Then all bets are off.

 

Your right, I would have suggested you call your DM and asked them to check up on the weather situation in that area. Our dispatcher where I work can look on the computer to tell us what the weather is like or is going to be.. Last week we had a little freezing rain, and with the weather info he got from the pc, he pulled all drivers off the road until all was clear. Not many companies I guess do that..

 

I live in illinois and i couldnt even walk on my driveway that friday morning...worst i have ever seen here in 25 years....