What sort of autonomy do you have as the driver?

Not to be argumentative but a lot of day-cabers that go over a mountain all winter long will disagree with you. It is however very risky.

 

Not just day-cabbers, but those of us with extensive winter driving experience, especially in far northern regions. In fact, in very cold conditions there is excellent traction available on ice. Obviously not as good as warm, dry pavement, but more than enough for the job at hand if you drive for the conditions.

I actually prefer when the conditions get a bit testy, most other guys stay off the road and I can make good time. Even being out ahead of the plow is no big deal. All winter over Donner, Siskiyou, etc. I never chained up once ... it's all about managing your momentum.

As to the OPs original question though, if I deem the conditions too severe to continue (and I have) then the truck is being parked regardless of who wants what on the other end.

 

good saying... and very true...

plan ahead, watch the speed, manage your space, and you can drive thru just about anything...

last winter I made good miles out on the ice.

mostly by leaving three hours early and knowing I was still going to be a couple late getting home. of course no mountains out here... just rolling hills...

 

As far as Wyoming not shutting down the roads soon enough, that is just totally hogwash. You are the captain of the truck, and should NOT depend on DOT to shut a road down to tell you that it is unsafe to drive. WY DOT used to never shut roads down, it was drive at your own risk, you know it is snowing, you know that the wind is blowing, and that it is adverse conditions, so drive accordingly.

Now because the federal govt controls the money to help keep the interestate in good repair, the DOT does have to close the road to protect the stupid motoring public from themselves, and that includes stupid truck drivers who drive to fast for conditions, or try to take an empty van across WY with 30 to 50 miles per hour winds.

Also when I80 was built, all the locals, told the federal government that putting I80 around elk mountaion was a mistake...hell even the union pacific rejected that route for their trains, and run 30 miles to the east.

As far as I am concerned, it is up to the driver to know the road and weather ahead, and choose if they are going to continue.