Dealing with high wind

I ran team from Kentucky to Salt Lake to Denver and back weekly, pulling doubles for 5 years, and the best thing I learned, keep both hands on the wheel. It would be a nice sunny day in Wyoming or Utah with virtually no cross wind and the next thing you know a cross wind hits and you do all you can to keep in your lane. If shutting down is not an option unless the road is closed, only drive as fast as you feel is safe. I always ride close to the emergency lane, so when a strong gust hits, my back box won't hit a passing vehicle. My company felt that if the road was open you would be out there, but my co-driver and I did draw the line when it came to ice! P.S. I don't miss running Salt Lake in the winter. Stay safe.

 

Every shipper/receiver/broker contract i've ever read has a "force majeur" stipulation, that says delays due to forces of nature can not be held against you. Last I checked, crazy winds is beyond your, or anyone elses control, therefore "force majeur" can be cited to keep your company out of trouble. I do understand the company has a schedule to keep, BUT..... EMPTY trailers and HIGH WINDS do not mix. The roads may not be shut down, but like the signs in the Wyoming POE say, they will let you know when there is a "light trailer" advisory, but they wont specify a weight to define "light trailer"... bottom line is, it might be an inconvenience if you're late, but it cant legally be held against you.

 

Sounds as if your coworker isn't the sharpest shovel in the shed! Shut it down if you feel it is too windy! Especially if you are empty! Use your better judgement and above all if you aren't comfortable with the driving conditions then don't drive!

Be safe...

 

Well I read a report that 45mph can knock over an empty. Fully loaded about 55+.mph. other things factor in of course but personally if the wind is gusting over 40 I shut down. Even if I can drive it safely I can't make the bad drivers out there control their vehicle safely and I just assume that they're all bad drivers. Kept me safe so far and it hasn't cost me too much money to stay safe to drive another day.

 

I suppose drivers and airline pilots are in the same boat, more or less.

Neither one makes the kind of money they should be making be for the risks involved but, oh well. It is what it is.

Drivers are in control of a load and other peoples lives as well and airline pilots are responsible for a couple hundred passengers.

If weather conditions are getting out of control a pilot gets the bird on the ground and sits it out.

A driver gets to a location they can hunker down for a while.

 

Agreed, although I can never just "pull over" in a plane. And when landing we add speed to counteract strong crosswinds if we can't land in a headwind.

That said, just like a Pilot in Command, you're the Driver in Command. Not safe? STOP.