Driving On Ice

This is my greatest apprehension about driving. I ride my motorcycle in the rain when I have to but driving those immense machines thru the Rockies during a sharknado scares the cussword out of me. How do you guys deal with that?

I should have said "the idea" of driving... I have never driven a truck. Still just considering it.

This is my greatest apprehension about driving. I ride my motorcycle in the rain when I have to but driving those immense machines thru the Rockies during a sharknado scares the cussword out of me. How do you guys deal with that?

You see a sharknado out here I want pictures.

Driving on snow and ice is about the same as a four wheeler. You take your time and slow down. Its no big deal. Its really very simple. SLOW DOWN.

Really there is no more to it than that. Been doing this for 15 years and have yet to have an accident of any kind.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you're the captain of that ship. Don't let others influence your decision making.

If you don't feel comfortable in the conditions, park it. Simple as that. You will never find weather so severe that someone won't try driving through it. So you can't go by what others are doing.

And at times you might shut down and dispatch will tell you "Other drivers in that area are still rolling." You simply say, "I'll be praying for them" and keep it parked.

And of course if you turn on the CB you'll hear a lot of people making fun of the drivers who are parked, "Come on you sissies! Are you afraid of a little snow?"

Ignore it.

I grew up in Buffalo, NY and I've spent more time driving in tough conditions than most people. And nobody was better at it. But there were times that I decided it was too risky and there were still other trucks on the highway. I didn't care one bit. I know when it makes sense for me to roll and I know when it doesn't.

As you get better you'll be able to roll through conditions you wouldn't have as a rookie. Makes perfect sense, right? Let that process evolve naturally. Make your decisions based on keeping yourself safe and protecting that license for the long run. One or two days will never mean anything in the grand scheme of things. You'll never look back and regret the times you shut down due to bad weather, but you might look back and regret the time you didn't.

When you shut down for the day because of bad conditions and you wake up the next day in the morning with better weather - you'll be driving past cars in the ditch and trucks on their side in the ditch. All because they thought they are untouchable. Be smart and park it.

I did this once last winter in Kansas on I70. Weather was just so bad I parked it at the Pilot in Colby. I woke up the next morning and the road was still slick but it was drive able. I drove 45 mph. I drove past a Conway in the ditch along with a small box truck and saw a truck far in the ditch on its side. No load is worth your life. A hot load will get cold real fast in the ditch.

No need for me to say anything else because those experts above me answered it already before I got to it - like always

I've always been a defensive driver. I'm 45 and been driving since I was 16. I've never had an accident or a single ticket. It common sense driving, something a lot of people seem to lack. The most accidents I see in winter are people following to close and going way to fast for road conditions. I'm always amazed at people who live up north and have been exposed to winter their whole lives and still don't know how to drive in snow and ice.

Six

I'm always amazed at people who live up north and have been exposed to winter their whole lives and still don't know how to drive in snow and ice.

Six

Ironically, I used to drive a delivery truck and a milk truck (not the tankers) in S.E. Pennsylvania. I drove on ice covered cowpaths congested with BMW's, Mercedes, and other expensive cars that the rich folk from the Main Line (Old Railroad money descendants) drove. Never had an incident. I really don't know where this apprehension comes from. I guess I was under the impression that you didn't have the option of stopping and waiting for better conditions. I just assumed the company expected you to soldier on through it, "That's what we're paying you for!" Now that I know I have the option of stopping, I'm a little less concerned.

Along with trucks in the ditch and whatnot, pay attention to the signs that give the frequency for the weather radio station. If you hear words like "black ice" and "caution" you might want to think about driving, especially at night. It is true that you will see pickup trucks, cars, box trucks, and semi's in the ditch after a snow storm.

Dave

I'm always amazed at people who live up north and have been exposed to winter their whole lives and still don't know how to drive in snow and ice.

Six

Ironically, I used to drive a delivery truck and a milk truck (not the tankers) in S.E. Pennsylvania. I drove on ice covered cowpaths congested with BMW's, Mercedes, and other expensive cars that the rich folk from the Main Line (Old Railroad money descendants) drove. Never had an incident. I really don't know where this apprehension comes from. I guess I was under the impression that you didn't have the option of stopping and waiting for better conditions. I just assumed the company expected you to soldier on through it, "That's what we're paying you for!" Now that I know I have the option of stopping, I'm a little less concerned.

If you work for a company that expects you to drive through dangerous weather and road conditions, then you may want to rethink your employment with said company. I mean, your not gonna drive when there is a tornado at your 12 o'clock when on hwy 75 in Oklahoma are you?! Or a Category 1-5 hurricane with flooded lanes are you?!?!

Your life isn't worth any load or equipment you operate. And from what I understand, most companies don't want their safety record tarnished, insurance raised or dropped, life insurance paid out to drivers families because they forced their driver to drive, or even a possible criminal charge brought against them. So i think you'll be fine, just use your common sense and be safe.

I'm always amazed at people who live up north and have been exposed to winter their whole lives and still don't know how to drive in snow and ice.

Six

Ironically, I used to drive a delivery truck and a milk truck (not the tankers) in S.E. Pennsylvania. I drove on ice covered cowpaths congested with BMW's, Mercedes, and other expensive cars that the rich folk from the Main Line (Old Railroad money descendants) drove. Never had an incident. I really don't know where this apprehension comes from. I guess I was under the impression that you didn't have the option of stopping and waiting for better conditions. I just assumed the company expected you to soldier on through it, "That's what we're paying you for!" Now that I know I have the option of stopping, I'm a little less concerned.

Unlike straight vehicles ,tractor trailers act differently on ice .Once control is lost ,even if you find traction again,chances are good your vehicle is already sideways or worse case ,jack-knifed ...that pooch is screwed.If there is ever any doubt about conditions ,park it.