Decided To Shutdown

Thanks. It's pretty clear here in Doolittle MO now, but to MoDOT map still says road closings everywhere near St Louis and Illinois is all icy snow. Not going forward untill I get some good news on DOT websites

Stephanie K,

You showed great wisdom in following your gut instinct. At the very least you are safe, warm and not trying to figure out how to get out of a serious incident that was very possible to have happened. You might have left and found yourself in a horrible situation and all your 18 wheels going in every direction except forward. You can always reschedule a delivery or pick up time but not a new life. Good call and stay safe.

So glad I did. Seeing all the crashes and stranded people on 44 E going into St Louis was a real wake-up call. It's supposed to freeze tonight creating a layer of ice. It's still backed up. Reopened around 2:30. Supposed to warm up tomorrow and refreeze tomorrow night. Going to try and head out tomorrow after the sun comes up. By then I should know more about 70 E thru Illinois. Got both Dot # s for Illinois and MO DOT #. They are very nice and helpful with road conditions. Just been catching up on all my British murder mysteries on Britbox and eating way too many snacks.

Seeing the trucks pass by on the highway still makes me wonder if I should try, but my gut says stay put.

You will never find a weather system that no one will try to drive through. There will always be at least a few trucks that go for it. Different drivers have different abilities, experience levels, and tolerance to risk. Then again, some people just have poor judgment, and they're normally pretty easy to spot.

As others have said, trust your gut and err on the side of caution. This is a long term game. If you keep rolling the dice you're going to lose big at some point. You want to have a long career and a stellar safety record. In the long run, that's how you make the most money.

The people who focus too much on the short term create too much anxiety for themselves and take bigger risks than they should, most of which do not pay off. Drivers who focus on being safe and reliable above all else will soon learn to become safe, reliable, and highly productive, and that's the path to big paydays right there.

100% correct call! You are the "Pilot in Command." You are the best to judge your abilities. If you don't feel safe, park and stay put. In the past few months I've shut down early on many occasions. Every time I've messaged dispatch about bad conditions I get a message back telling saying 10-4 thanks, be safe and stay warm.

Stephanie, it's easy to say "Well they are going through, why can't I?" and feel a little guilty about stopping. As Brett says, there will always be some drivers who don't stop regardless of weather conditions. Many times they have no real problem but you know, the chance for an accident goes way up in any kind of bad weather.

As a new driver, you be your own judge on yourself without thinking about what "others" are doing. That's the right thing: know your own capabilities. And, to be honest, be a little chicken sometimes. Your receivers will understand you'd rather be safe and deliver than sorry and stuck in a ditch with their freight.

Guess what, we just stopped on the PA turnpike. I drove out my hours and gave my trainee the option of continuing to gain experience. First he said sure, then the weather got worse the last 60 miles. He chose not to swap out so we are parked. and i said, "Great decision". The weather alerts here are on until 1900 tomorrow. i do t care if we sit here until then. better safe than dead.

I am going to head out as soon as the sun comes up. DOT says some black ice but 44 is clear. Illinois dot says 70 is clear but watch for icy spots. Being light outside should help to see the roads ahead. And hopefully a little warmer. I am heading your way Rainy. I have 3 deliveries around Denver PA and York PA. Stay safe

Looking at the news reports of crashes, closures, and catastrophes, I bet you feel a little better now about stopping eh? I also bet your FM , planners, and sales team all feel pretty good about it too. Be safe, driver.

Good, no, EXCELLENT call, Stephanie! I70, I72 and I74 thru lower Illinois are in the ice belt, as is I65 thru Indiana around Lafayette. If the prediction is for ice , believe it. In spades. Do you have the road condition web addresses and phone numbers saved in your device? Most states are automated, voice recog, and updated regularly.