Snow Driving
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by objectesticle, Aug 10, 2005.
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Well i finally got some winter driving under my belt. I had driven in snow when it first started to fall, but nothing like this. I was in Hanover Park, Ill. thursday night into friday. woke up about 8a and didnt really see it as bad as they predicted. But i got a load SW of where i was on I-80, and the roads were just wet......that is till i got closer to Ann Arbor, and points east. I tell you what, Detroit must seriously have a budget problem because the plows really didnt 'plow'. side roads sucked, and i saw 3 plows just laying salt on unplowed roads. Now tell me what good that does. Waste $$$ laying salt down in a 10in. of snow, then a few hours later....PLOW IT !! how dumb. but hey, it was good experience. =) i dont feel quite so nervous now going into an 'unknown'.
My thinking is this, unless i hit some black ice, as long as i watch my trailer when i brake and keep it behind me, i'll be good. As long as my wheels stay 'rolling' and dont lock up, i shouldnt have to worry about 'sliding'. (keeping in mind black ice)...oh, and give myself plenty of distance ahead of me to stop. =) -
Video of a complete mess
driving in the snow, ice, and winter
i hate it, but it comes with the job, I learned how to drive in the snow out west, up and down i80 from guys who LOVE to drive and chain and drive, and they taught me to drive at a consistent speed, dont hit the brake, dont abruptly accelerate, dont abruptly turn, even if you feel the truck sliding DO NOT PANIC (if you gonna wreck, panicking wont help)
low gear going up hill, high gear going down
dont put on your 4ways unless there is something wrong, if everyone is doing 30mph, putting on your 4ways makes other drivers think there is something abnormal about your vehicle and you are about to stop
stay to the right, everyone will drive in their own comfort zone, some will go faster than you, that doesnt make them idiots or morons, just they are more comfortable going faster than you are going
stay to the right, driving in the middle blocks traffic behind you so everyone has to pile up or get around you, when there is snow, everyone needs space, you impeding traffic reduces that space -
I don't see why everyone makes a big deal about snow and ice. It's like any other driving, adjust speed and following distance to account for road conditions and pay attentions to all the idiots around you. Chain when needed.
Wind on the other hand will flip you in a heartbeat if your empty/light and pulling a van or reefer. If it gets strong enough it will flip any truck period. -
Heavy for me is 15,000 lbs in a fully loaded 48'. I'm on the East coast,so we don't even have chains.I drive at a speed that is comfortable for me,I don't care about anyone else. I don't make make any quick motions with steering or braking, drive in the right lane,and keep extra alert.I've never had to park it,but there's a first time for everything.My boss wanted me to drive during Hurricane Sandy which had gust of 90 miles an hour in Ct.My sides are still hurting from laughing at him.
Dan.S Thanks this. -
no big deal
but it could be a concern to some -
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Irony. -
My first lesson in black ice was in Germany many years ago. Traffic was at a standstill on A6 in the K-town area. There had been an accident at the next exit up so we were just stuck. My battalions safety patrol came rolling up the shoulder and told me to put my chains on. What for I asked? Black Ice they say said. I'm thinking "give me a break... I am sitting in this nice warm cab and you want me to get out and chain up"... but I did... I climbed out of the cab and when my foot hit the roadway it slid and I landed square on my butt... I was stopped on black ice and still couldn't' see it.
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