Dispatch threatening drivers for not driving on ice...

It would help your case if there were any road closures in your area.
Just like snow there are different kinds of ice. Some is wavy and crunchy and has okay traction. Some is polished smooth like glass, if the road is flat you may make some progress but any kind of incline or tilt in the road and you are screwed.
We had some two years ago that was smooth as glass with a 35 mph cross wind. In 1-1/2 miles my drives went sideways twice. I parked only two miles out of town and didn’t even try to get back home for about four hours when the sun came out and melted the ice.
Ultimately it is your decision, you are the captain of the ship. Safety is your call.

 

They won't fire you, don't you know how dispatchers work? They, by definition, must try their darndest to get the load covered. I've found, they get over it.

 

i never had ANY problems at ANY employer i have had regarding this.

at my current employer, if any of us have to turn around and not finish our routes, we call, explain, and WE ARE TOLD, to turn around and head back in.

personally, i'd gripe at safety regarding this. as long as one "makes an attempt" to do the job, but unforeseeable circumstance arise, safety i believe out weighs a dummy in the office.

you , me and many others here know, that if you crash, YOU ARE IN THE HOT SEAT, not the dummy in dispatch.

too bad you didn't get a recording of his demands.

there ARE other jobs out there.

 

and i have found, a pillow case over thier head and a beating also works.

 

§ 392.14 guidance:

Question 1: Who makes the determination, the driver or carrier, that conditions are sufficiently dangerous to warrant discontinuing the operation of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)?

Guidance: Under this section, the driver is clearly responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle and the decision to cease operation because of hazardous conditions.

The regulation:

§392.14 Hazardous conditions; extreme caution.

Extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction. Speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial motor vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated. Whenever compliance with the foregoing provisions of this rule increases hazard to passengers, the commercial motor vehicle may be operated to the nearest point at which the safety of passengers is assured.

 

Many years ago dart had a driver that threw a Illinois scale master out the door to show him how icy it was lol

 

No one can force you to do anything you consider unsafe. You have the final say as to when the rubber hits the road. FMCSA rules as previous post mentions.