The Complete Guide To A Career In Trucking
The Trucking Lifestyle: Dealing With The Weather
If you spend enough time driving, sooner or later you're going to end up in some sticky weather situations, like a winter storm, or high winds, or even tornados.
It is up to the driver to stay abreast and informed of conditions, and to make the decision to drive, or not. When it comes to safety, the decision on whether or not it is safe to drive is always the drivers.
How do I deal with winter weather or high winds? Will I be forced to drive in bad weather?
If conditions are treacherous, nobody can force you to drive if you don't feel that it's safe. Dispatchers & management realize that your life and the cargo is not worth the risk of driving in dangerous conditions.
That said, it is up to the driver to do their best to stay informed of current, and future conditions, to avoid the best that they can those kinds of conflicts.
Forum - Is Winter driving on your mind?
Winter is around the corner and every new driver is worried about it. How is trucking in the winter? When do you shut down and will they get mad if you do? A million thoughts rush through your mind, I was there.
Wiki - Winter Driving Tips & Items To Bring
Winter driving conditions, especially for those who haven't lived in or experienced them, present a whole new set of challenges and approaches to safety for new drivers.
High Winds Blow Semi Truck Around
Article - Truck Driving in Winter Weather
Living in Chicago, I've had my fair share of experience driving in the snow, but not in a semi. Things are much different in an 18 wheeler. Some for the better, and some for the worse. My first experience in a snowstorm was a doozy.
Forum - Driving truck in windy conditions?
I remember as a kid I rode with my dad once and it was really windy. I could feel the truck moving as the cross wind hit it. I was scared, but it didn't seem to phase my dad at all. How much of an issue is it, and what stories do you veteran drivers have of driving in the wind?
Video - Good Winter weather driving safety tips and advice
Forum - Truck Drivers In Cold Weather
I have no idea what to do in cold weather. I have no idea what kind of clothes you need or what kind of precautions might be necessary. So, what do I need to keep from freezing my tooshie off?
Are you forced to drive in bad weather requiring snow chains by companies you work for?
Not pushing through inclement weather will not make them think any differently of you. Its not worth it for the company to risk losing hundreds of thousands of dollars just to get a load in on time.
National Weather Service (NWS) Official Website
The mission of the National Weather Service is to provide weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.
511: America's Traveler Information Telephone Number
The 511 system was devised to provide updated nationwide traffic and travel information via a single, 3-digit, phone number. The public can access real-time traffic information, as well as sign up for text alerts.
Video - Driving Donner's Pass During A Snowstorm
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