One thing a lot of people don’t understand about trucking is that when a storm hits, unless the roads are closed, you still have to go. You still have to get to your destination, preferably on time. People are waiting on their food, livestock, beds, carpet, and toilet paper. That means rain or snow and every weather condition in between makes driving truck a challenge.
Flagstaff Arizona
Winter is here. I left Minnesota on Monday morning hoping for the best, as usual. By the time Rosie and I crossed the South Dakota line with the western sky in view, I was hoping I would make my trip on time. I don’t listen to the weather much, although I had heard drivers talk about a blizzard coming on the CB, I could see for myself the sky was working overtime. I figured there was no sense in worrying about what is to come and watched cloud after cloud bank up. I have always figured since your going to have to deal with the weather anyway, you may as well drive, enjoy the show mother nature puts on, and once your in it, you deal then.
By the time I hit HWY 81 in South Dakota it was blowing snow, but nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year. Nebraska was about the same until I headed south out of Arapahoe. The roads began to disappear, and it became a guessing game as to where the road was or was not. I made it to Norton KS that afternoon and decided I had had enough for one day. Although I still had a couple of hours to log, I went to bed early and when I woke at 3 am all was quiet. It was still snowing and the temperature hovered around 7 degrees. The world was so quiet and muffled I figured I may as well get to it before everyone else came out to play in the snow. I love the quiet, even when it’s crappy out. I guess it makes me feel like the world is mine, if only for a short time.
From snow in South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas to ice, freezing rain, and then dry roads as temperatures rose to 49 degrees in south western Oklahoma, Texas and Tucumcari NM. The ride rolled on, unfortunately though, the roads went to heck in Albuquerque and again in Flagstaff Arizona before I made it to my destination in Phoenix early and unscathed.
Luckily, I had yesterday off in Phoenix. I was pretty happy to lay around and work on Rosie since I was worn out from the trip. You see, just because we drive a big vehicle it does not mean there is not a ton of work, worry, and hassle that goes into what we do. I don’t think there is a professional driver out here on the highway that is not just as worried about your welfare as their own. That’s what we do out here. We drive for you and us.
So, just a reminder since I saw quite a few bad accidents on my way here, be safe, courteous, and don’t hurry in winter weather. It’s an accident waiting to happen!
Very well said. Great piece.
I like your writing style and agree with all but one point. I believe that statements like, “…unless the roads are closed, you still have to go” is exactly the kind of thinking that causes accidents. Says who? Your dispatcher? Your company’s policy?
Last time I checked, it was me that was behind the steering wheel. It’s my driving record, and it’s my life that I’m risking. It’s also my guilt that will have to be dealt with if I were to cause an accident. Even worse if I killed someone.
The Evil Overlord (wife/co-driver) and I haul a lot of expedited freight from many different companies. We have NEVER been charged with a late delivery if we deemed the roads unsafe for driving.
I always advise drivers that if their company tries to force them to drive in unsafe conditions, then they should find a new company that will respect their judgment.
I feel the same about driving in the quiet, at at night or in early morning.
Glad you made it safely. I know I would not like to be hauling any weight in any weather, let alone deal with ice and snow.
Safe driving is a must for everyone, cars and trucks.
Remember,”If you got it, a truck brought it” So be couteous to all who share the road.
Me too Carl. And OG and Rosie – you stay safe!
Todd. Although you made a few good points, a disagree with your comment on when accidents happen and I wanted to take the time to address your comment and I haven’t had much until now.
First off, please do not assume that I do not know when to stop driving. I’ve been out here 18 years. I own my truck, and I run it safely. I make the decisions. And for the record, I have shut down numerous times over the years because of the weather, even when the roads were not “closed” per se.
If you read the post, I had enough driving and stopped in Norton KS before my 11 hrs were up, because the roads were disappearing before me. My point was that when you’re in it, you’re in it. I can’t stay home because a storm is coming. I can’t park my truck because there is snow or ice on the roadway. And fact is, if I shut my truck down every time the roads went to hell, I’d be broke. I live in Minnesota and run west.
Trucking safely means slowing down. Trucking safely means having experience. Trucking safely means having respect and knowledge of what the road and your truck can and will do in poor conditions. When you don’t have any of the above mentioned, that is when accidents happen.
found you thru daily coyote’s twitter. my dad was a driver for nearly his whole life, some of it as an owner/operator. most of my fondest childhood memories are being out on the road with him. it’s nice to get to catch a glimpse into the life of a female driver. he always told me it was too unsafe for me to go into!
Bethany, Gr8t article. Both you an Todd McCann make Gr8t points, in respone to your original article. I follow you on twitter, also. I’m a unemployed, Female, Truck Driver, an right now, I assist othr driver’s on Twitter w/Road Conditions, an Weather info for where they’re going, or if they’re coming up to where I live. Enjoy your article again, an look forward to reading more of articles you have written. Agent99 is my CB handle, by the way.