Grey Area Of Is It Safe To Run Or Not?

My DM told me he has a load for me going to Glenwood Springs CO, just from our yard in Aurora CO, They havent dispatched me yet on it. I told him Id keep an eye on the weather and road conditions over the pass and let him know. He said, likewise, he would keep an eye for the trailer getting in into the yard as it was coming from Cheyenne.

Ive driven 70 in the mountains a lot, in very unroadworthy vehicles, but never in a big truck yet. I taught skiing at winter park, and lived up in Frasier CO, so not a stranger to the road conditions and weather up there. I checked the road conditions and weather, road cameras up there all morning. Its borderline. Mostly wet, some snow and ice in places. Ive seen much worse, and see a lot of trucks running there. Not withstanding, I messaged my DM that I have some concerns about road conditions in a few areas and sent him screenshots of the CDOT road cameras. I also noted a long line of trucks at the chain up area, pulled off. Part of my concerns is the temp will only reach 33 today, leaving a wet roadway to refreeze in the evening and night.

I understand that Im the captain of my ship, and if I dont feel safe, dont run. But it feels borderline, and I feel like Im being a slacker by not calling and telling him I want to run that load. Is that normal to feel like that? This is the first time that Ive felt it may be questionable to run. Im having a hard time shaking my mindset from years of working construction: You get your a$$ to work no matter what the weather is.

I was just through there 3 days ago. The road itself is in decent shape, but it's down to one lane for several miles at 30 mph. Just take your time.

Do you think developing your own rule of thumb might help you make a decision more easily? For example, you could make a decision to NOT drive whenever DOT closes the road to vehicles without snow tires or chains. That gives you a solid reason to base a decision upon. It helps to take some of the guesswork out of it. That's how I did it. That's also what my FM at Prime advised: "If chains are required, just shut it down."

Ah yes the age old question, especially when you are new. I think playing it safe and surviving your first winter is important as you gain experience you'll easily be able to identify when it is safe or when it isn't.

My first winter I had a close call with black ice and it still worries me to this day, however coming into my 4th winter I am now more able to recognize the subtle signs and determine if I should run or not. I will say last year I ran in conditions that would have kept me off the road my first year.

Remember " I'd rather be at home wishing i was on the road, rather than being on the road(or ditch) wishing I was at home"

At your experience level DO NOT push it. My general rule of thumb is 2 fold. IF chains are required I’m parking it. IF I can’t safely maintain 45 mph I’m parking it.

Too me no load is worth risking anyone’s life and less than 45 your wasting your time. Road crews are pretty good getting roads in good shape not too long after a storm passes.

Road crews are pretty good getting roads in good shape not too long after a storm passes.

You weren't in Wyoming on 80 yesterday, were you?

Interesting about below 45. I never thought about that. Good rule of thumb. We don't run if chains are required. At least generally. It's my first winter driving and I do keep with my mindset of building a career slowly and safely right from the start.

Senior Chief I haven’t been to wy in 2.5 years and don’t plan on returning. Most snow I get is up through the middle midwest and occassional NE. The more I stay south of I40 the better I like it.

My DM told me he has a load for me going to Glenwood Springs CO, just from our yard in Aurora CO, They havent dispatched me yet on it. I told him Id keep an eye on the weather and road conditions over the pass and let him know. He said, likewise, he would keep an eye for the trailer getting in into the yard as it was coming from Cheyenne.

Ive driven 70 in the mountains a lot, in very unroadworthy vehicles, but never in a big truck yet. I taught skiing at winter park, and lived up in Frasier CO, so not a stranger to the road conditions and weather up there. I checked the road conditions and weather, road cameras up there all morning. Its borderline. Mostly wet, some snow and ice in places. Ive seen much worse, and see a lot of trucks running there. Not withstanding, I messaged my DM that I have some concerns about road conditions in a few areas and sent him screenshots of the CDOT road cameras. I also noted a long line of trucks at the chain up area, pulled off. Part of my concerns is the temp will only reach 33 today, leaving a wet roadway to refreeze in the evening and night.

I understand that Im the captain of my ship, and if I dont feel safe, dont run. But it feels borderline, and I feel like Im being a slacker by not calling and telling him I want to run that load. Is that normal to feel like that? This is the first time that Ive felt it may be questionable to run. Im having a hard time shaking my mindset from years of working construction: You get your a$$ to work no matter what the weather is.

If you're not comfortable then don't pull it. I took an entire week off from winter weather last winter because I'm not driving in that! Good company will understand.

My DM totally appreciated the position I took. We talked about it. They definitely don't want us running when we're not comfortable. And they really do seem to care about safety first.