High winds, blown over, does this go on your driving record?

I don't think it's a dumb question and actually I don't know the answer. I'm going to take a guess at it and say that it will count as a "preventable".

 

i think that depends on the company.

if high wind warnings are set, and you drive, THAT might be cause for you to be at fault. as you were warned, AND COULD HAVE PULLED OVER.

BUT, if you are driving and suddenly gusts of winds come up, then you had no idea about it, nor the time to pull over, then you might not be at fault.

but, "some" companies look for scape goats in high insurance payouts.

 

Yes it’s preventable accident. Dot reportable

 

You are the pilot of the ship. Ultimately it's your decision to drive in bad weather.

If you are driving and the interstate is shut down for trucks and you get blown over, it will be a hard case to make it isn't your fault.
If you are driving and pass 3 trucks laying on there side, again hard case to say it's not your fault.
If you are driving and a freak wind hits you, well how do you prove it was a freak wind and not distracted driving?

In a nutshell, if in question... The load can always be rescheduled.

 

You have to understand how many records you have. The MVR is your driving record. You have a csa record and then the non-government dac record.

 

i had several.......albums......

sorry, i feel goofy right now.

 

First off, where are you? Sounds like it might be Wyoming. Why is it always so windy in Wyoming? Because Utah blows and Nebraska sucks.

Here's some advice, based on my experience running in big winds:

1. If YOU aren't comfortable with the conditions, then park it.

2. Download the MyRadar app. Then turn in the wind layer. Sometimes when the wind is just about as much as I can handle, I consult MyRadar and figure out that in another 20 or 30 miles I will be out of the shrieking banshees from hell.

3. If you are pulling a dry van or reefer, set the trailer tandems all the way to the back. If your tandems are forward, the wind can catch the end of your trailer and start lifting one side. It's harder for the wind to do that if your tandems are all the way to the back.

4. The technique for driving in gusty broadside winds is to RELAX, with a light grip on the wheel, arms relaxed and hanging. Every time that wind slams you, just pull down on the wind side of the wheel. Don't overdo it. As necessary allow the wind to push you sideways and HOLD a position until the wind abates and you can ease it back over. Always pull down on the wheel to steer. Pushing up or sideways will wear you out and you will have sore muscles by the end of the day.

I run based out of OKC, going up to Wyoming or North Dakota often. Big winds are a fact of life. Sometimes I will do major reroutes to avoid the worst of it, based on MyRadar. Sometimes that reroute bites me in the ###, as I get into even worse weather. It is what it is.

Driving in big winds is much like being at the helm of a sailboat in a hard reach. You can sometimes see a big gust coming, but usually not. Relax and you will be able to react quicker.

 

In addition to holding position, if there is no one around you, you can use what the Sea calls "Pay off" before the wind so at the highest part of the gust you would ease the wheel allowing your rig to give way across the pavement a little bit. The reduction of the wind loading on your trailer might be enough not to push you over. Keep a eye on the weather (Upwind) side of your trailer wheels, if they start lifting, reduce speed drastically and if you have to point into it.

Ive fought wind many times. But I always where possible parked it when NOAA releases what is called a high wind warning for a given area. That means usually you are finished for the day until tomorrow. You would get a new appointment. Anyone gives you a hard time is a idiot. Better for everything (And you) to arrive with no damage or cost to rolling over trying to take on something stronger than you are. Not to mention preventable and loss of job etc etc etc.

Another way to understand wind is to examine the CBBT Norfolk-Eastern Shore bridge wind limits. During nor'easters they usually close the bridge to everyone that is not loaded with 45000 on the trailer or 76000 gross etc. Because you are going across ocean for 20 miles and it's a very bad sea in storms. Before they have to close the bridge entirely above a certain wind speed. Those are the standards I used in the rest of the USA.

I have personally been rocked off my wheels against the railing of the US50 Bay Bridge due to high winds versus me and a empty container westbound at the high point. It was no place for a big truck in the sudden storm fortunately she came back down with me on the fuel tank outside the mack cab. Decking was steel grating. Not something I would contemplate jumping down to with all those sharp edges. The situation was preventable. Sudden summer storm, this is pre-internet, pre cell phones and when we got high up we saw the storm line advancing east against us and it was too late to come off there.

Those railings are pretty good. But it was better that gust quit when it did, it's about 230 feet to the water below. Not survivable.