Slowing Down - The Real Story, Please

The CDL manual talks about slowing down from 55 to 35 in wet weather. Now, physics says this really is a good idea and it makes sense to me. However, in my lifetime, I have driven a lot of miles on the interstate in a 4-wheeler. I've driven on interstates in 20 of the 50 states. Not once have I seen a big rig driving 35 mph in wet weather unless they were going uphill.

In fact, I have usually been the one slowing down while rigs pass me routinely, splashing mist right into my windshield. I typically run 55-60 on wet roads in a 4-wheeler and have seen MANY rigs blow right past me on the left. I'll be honest - I cringe in wet weather, because just about everybody, from 18 to 4 wheels, is going too fast in my book.

So, what's the truth here? What's the real story on wet-weather driving? If I go 35, my biggest fear would be somebody plowing into me from behind because, let's face it, NOBODY goes this slow on the freeway unless they are in a major rainstorm, blinding snow or fog. And "flow of traffic" in wet weather is almost always too fast to be safe.

I know what the book says. I know what physics say. And I know what I've seen. What I want to know is what real experienced truck drivers have to say on the subject.

Do what YOU feel is safe. If that means slowing down to 35 in adverse conditions, then by all means, cut your 4 ways on and slow down. Even if you see other drivers blazing past you going 70, they're increasing their likelihood of becoming a statistic.

It's entirely up to you. Although if you're down to the 35mph range it's probably best just to pull over in the next SAFE location to do so.

If you think people are nuts in the rain wait till winter.

It's entirely up to you. Although if you're down to the 35mph range it's probably best just to pull over in the next SAFE location to do so.

If you think people are nuts in the rain wait till winter.

My first experience with winter driving came about 2 months after I started driving for Schneider. I was empty and just merged onto the interstate , road conditions weren't terrible, there was a clear path where you could see the asphalt between the snow. Everyone around me was cruising along at highway speed, I was chugging along at 40 with my 4 ways on. Didn't hear anything negative over the radio, and frankly, I wouldn't have cared even if I did. I was doing what made me feel comfortable.

This is a great question Mike...

There is something we frequently refer to called situational awareness. Much of what we do throughout our day involves common sense decision making that is influenced by what is happening at any given point in time. As a rule, speed is determined by the posted limit and the current conditions; be it the road surface, traffic congestion, and of course weather. I do not recommend arbitrarily reducing speed from 55 to 35 when it's raining. Please keep in mind that most Interstates have a posted limit of 65-70, dropping your speed by 30+mph is asking for a huge amount of trouble. Your comfort/confidence level driving in different types of weather will increase with experience and skill level. The first time I drove in a rainstorm under a load was a bit unnerving...everyone goes through the same thing. Managing space and the sight-line is key. My approach is based on the intensity of the storm...if it's a wind-driven deluge reducing visibility, with a lot of standing water, then absolutely speed is significantly dropped (15-20mph if need be), headlights are on (for anything requiring the wipers) and the four-ways are on. But if it's a steady light rain, no standing water; cruise control is off and my speed is dropped by roughly 5-8 mph to compensate for increasing the "safe" stopping distance. This is especially true if the trailer is empty and/or the rain has just begun falling (first 10 minutes of rain are the "slipperiest").

Driving in the rain is like many aspects of this job, the first few times you operate in a weather situation, will be the worst. My advice to anyone is try NOT to make abrupt adjustments to your line or speed, finesse the truck when the road surface is compromised. This applies to rain, snow, or a road under construction. If the situation warrants a drop in the truck's speed, do it in a controlled fashion, and not a hard-application of the brakes.

Not only do interstates ha e limits, but they often have minimums as well. Which means...on I44 in MO you are perfectly legal to drive 45 mph which is the minimum.

What drives me nuts is the morons who want to go from 65mph to 25mph on the off ramps...as if they never heard of a deceleration lane. It means SLOW DOWN before the ramps. Smh. And speeding through construction is ridiculous.

Do what you think is safe, put your hazards on and go. They don't know if you are new or have mechanical problems. The heck with the other people.

What drives me nuts is the morons who want to go from 65mph to 25mph on the off ramps...as if they never heard of a deceleration lane. It means SLOW DOWN before the ramps. Smh. And speeding through construction is ridiculous.

Omg yes the construction zone one is my pet peeve. People get so upset but I don't care. I will not speed through a construction zone.

What drives me nuts is the morons who want to go from 65mph to 25mph on the off ramps...as if they never heard of a deceleration lane. It means SLOW DOWN before the ramps. Smh. And speeding through construction is ridiculous.

Omg yes the construction zone one is my pet peeve. People get so upset but I don't care. I will not speed through a construction zone.

Even around Denver where the speed limit in a construction zone is 65mph?