Bad weather and trip planning. Impassable roads. What to do?

I have the 511 apps on my phone for the states I travel the most that is famous for bad weather. I check before going on duty. If my route is bad, I usually see if I can route around it.

For example: 2 weeks ago, load from Portland to Chicago. I got to Ogden, Utah and realize 80 was shutdown in Wyoming. Called dispatch and explained the situation. They asked me if I had a different route or wanted to wait it out.

I told them I could go 15S to 70E. @70E in Green River went south on 191 (We don't drive 70 over the Rockies in the winter) to 40E in NM then to 44 to 55. It rerouted me 600 miles (1 day of driving) He said go for it, call for fuel. I was authorized & paid for the extra miles.

Company was happy. Why? Because 4 other drivers went through Wy and either totaled or jackknife their trucks. My load was 3hrs late from the original arrival time and wasn't damaged.

 

Definitely wanna check a reliable weather service for my route. Al Roker. HAHA. Who has time to watch TV? The commercials just suck up my patience.

I know I'm gonna stuck in it. No way around it sometimes, I'm sure. But I sure as hell ain't eating Spaghettios or however you spell 'em.

 

now don't be silly. in rain, you SLOW DOWN

in light snow, you reduce your speed. up to the point of shutting down, if the snow gets worse, up to blizzard conditions..

however, if you are (say) at home, and you call the company and tell them you do not want to drive, cuz it's snowing out, that is NOT making the attempt to drive.

you gotta at least SHOW UP for work, and make an EFFORT to do the job.

if you cannot pull out to the street, or once you do, it is icy, or the snow is very high, or the interstate is shut down, then you TURN around and go back.

HHHMMmmmmm....get it now...????

 

Solid advice. I'm sure there are a lot of drivers out there willing to take the dumb risk.

 

Yeeess. yes. Yes. I understand.
Silly. I say that, too.

I was thinking from the standpoint of being an OTR driver sitting at a truck stop ready to head down the road. I would have no way of really "making an attempt" per say. That's what I meant by stopping--stopping by the side of the road.

 

Nice to hear. This was the key: Communication. Great. AND you got extra miles. Bonus. Thanks.

 

For me, it wouldn't be the crappy roads thst would stop me, it would be all the dummies stopped or crashed along the way who might screw me up.

I'd be looking at another way to get from point "A" to Point "B", like maybe taking 90 to Uvalde , Del Rio, and then 285 back up to Fort Stockton.

But, what do I know? I don't drive Texas, but that route is farther south, a few more miles, probably some ICE (the non-frozen type) to deal with that close to the border. And you'd need a mega dispatchers blessing before taking off.

 

Best advice I could give you is use your common sense. I know it sounds easy but you would be shocked at how many drivers new & old who don't follow there instinct due to dispatchers, terminal managers pressuring them into running. Hell at my company there aggravated at me because I'm not going to run on ice in a day cab just simply due to the fact that if the conditions deteriorate I'm stuck in a day cab I've been there done that and I'd prefer to never put myself in that situation again. If you are comfortable with the weather conditions just plan your trip out. in case weather deteriorates know where safe places to park are along your trip and make a educated gamble.

 

It will all fall into place when you get out there. Every weather situation is a little different. Maybe a lot different. My first outfit would send us messages to shut down when weather was bad. Didn’t have to tell me twice.

 

Ok it is simple, you are in command of that truck and if it is dangerous, find someplace safe and

PARK THE TRUCK UNTIL IT IS SAFE TO GO ON!


I would rather have a late load than having to call a drivers family telling them they lost their husband/wife/father/mother.

and I have recently.


Too many stupid steering wheel holders out there causing accidents, don’t be one of them!​