I will be the first to admit. I don't like driving in bad winter weather. I get nervous, and scared. I hate winter. I don't even like it when it's cold, let alone icey conditions. At some point, it gets so bad, you can't run. Even though, our company runs no matter what. I'm not too keen on some of the regulations when it comes to bad weather.
Are there any DOT regulations to back us (drivers) up, if we decline to drive in bad winter weather?

 

I dont know if theres any regulation, but im sure if you have a situation where you feel its unsafe to drive and your dispatcher insists on it you can call your safety department and tell them.

 

Though I have to admit Jackrabbit, your idea of unsafe winter conditions and mine are probably 2 different things since im from a northern state. I drive in snow almost daily here. Ice is the killer.

 

Yeah, we have mild winters here in north central Texas. Last week, (Christmas weekend) we had 8" of snow. Unheard of. The last time we came close to that was 7" back in 1985. There is still snow in a lot of places. Especially out in the country. It is quite strange, the temperatures have only gotten up in the 40's. We are supposed to have another front come in tonight-tomorrow. It's supposed to drop down into the lower teens.

 

Light weight! If you need winter driving tips, ask me, I have a vast experience in driving in the snow and ice. Wait a minute, what am I thinking, I am from South Central Texas!

 

I go by the rule of thumb that if I don't feel comfortable driving in it, then I park. Period. I send a message on the QC telling them why I'm parking. That way if they do pressure me to keep running and something happens, it's all on them.

 

What you need is colder temperatures. Traction improves once it gets down to 10F. Colder the better.

Have you considered spending your winters in N. Dakota maybe?

Thing I hate is the big snow drifts. You have to hit them pretty hard, because they will knock about 10mph off your speed, and you won't be able to see for a quarter mile or so.

 

8 inches! Here's my boss shoveling snow off trailers so we can get on the Ohio Turnpike. They wont let you on with snow and ice on your trailers. Sometimes I go under a 13'8" bridge and that cleans em off pretty good. I love watching the tailgating 4 wheeler in my mirror as I hit the bridge! I laugh my ass off every time! :clap:

 

But to answer your question we've had guys refuse to run and they dont get in any trouble. When its a major storm the company sometimes cancels runs.

 

Roadhog, no sir! I would rather not live in North Dakota. It's nice in the summer. I've been up there in the past on wheat harvest. I've also been up there in the fall, right before we head back south for the corn, and milo in Kansas. The times I was there in the early fall was enough for me. I couldn't imagine having all that snow all winter long. :hellno: There are big lakes in the Dakota's. That's from all the snow that melted.

I've driven in solid ice and snow. There was a couple of times last winter, I only got up to about 40mph, when I was driving on a skating rink. There have been times that I'd rather stay at home, but as far as telling them that I feel like it's not safe, I've never called in..

Snowman, that's not very nice. That would be funny. :rofl: Just imagine what goes through their mind. All of a sudden, whooof. Big puff of snow comes down on their car. :lol:

It took me long enough, but I found one..