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A truck driver found himself in a snowstorm. He called his dispatcher and told him that he could not see the road to drive. The dispatcher asked him if he saw a snowplow? The driver said he had.
The dispatcher told him to follow it. After a half hour the snowplow driver stopped and went back to the truck. He told the driver that he was done with Wal-Mart parking lot and was heading over to Target.
Winter driving isn't for everyone. Let me correct myself, winter driving isn't for most people. Sometimes I hate winter driving. Then there are times that I like it. It can keep life exciting and sharpen your driving skills.
When I use to train drivers, I would give them one piece of advice, drive where you feel comfortable. If you have a death grip on the steering wheel, it is time to pull over.
The past 16 hours out here in Colorado has been rough. Last night going into Denver, traffic was going about 40 MPH. Then you come up on the car doing 10 MPH. You know they did not belong out there.
This morning going south of Denver started out snow packed. The farther south I went the better the roads got. The pavement was wet with a little bit of slush in the middle of each lanes. I am in the left lane enjoying the higher speed.
I came up behind another truck that was doing all he could in the left lane. I get into the right lane and was going to go around him. There was a car who was also in the right lane, was traveling the same speed as we were.
All of a sudden the driver of the car slowed down and turned on the emergency flasher. Road conditions hadn't change so why all of a suddenly change the way he was driving? I guess it is one of the mysteries of life.
I arrived at the shipper and on the door was a sign, put your tire chains on now. I was told that earlier in the day, drivers were getting stuck and it should be better now.
I got into my truck when two other trucks went by me. The first truck had put a set of tire chains on. It wasn't long until I was behind them making the two mile journey to the steel mill.
A truck driver found himself in a snowstorm. He called his dispatcher and told him that he could not see the road to drive. The dispatcher asked him if he saw a snowplow? The driver said he had.
The dispatcher told him to follow it. After a half hour the snowplow driver stopped and went back to the truck. He told the driver that he was done with Wal-Mart parking lot and was heading over to Target.
Winter driving isn't for everyone. Let me correct myself, winter driving isn't for most people. Sometimes I hate winter driving. Then there are times that I like it. It can keep life exciting and sharpen your driving skills.
When I use to train drivers, I would give them one piece of advice, drive where you feel comfortable. If you have a death grip on the steering wheel, it is time to pull over.
The past 16 hours out here in Colorado has been rough. Last night going into Denver, traffic was going about 40 MPH. Then you come up on the car doing 10 MPH. You know they did not belong out there.
This morning going south of Denver started out snow packed. The farther south I went the better the roads got. The pavement was wet with a little bit of slush in the middle of each lanes. I am in the left lane enjoying the higher speed.
I came up behind another truck that was doing all he could in the left lane. I get into the right lane and was going to go around him. There was a car who was also in the right lane, was traveling the same speed as we were.
All of a sudden the driver of the car slowed down and turned on the emergency flasher. Road conditions hadn't change so why all of a suddenly change the way he was driving? I guess it is one of the mysteries of life.
I arrived at the shipper and on the door was a sign, put your tire chains on now. I was told that earlier in the day, drivers were getting stuck and it should be better now.
I got into my truck when two other trucks went by me. The first truck had put a set of tire chains on. It wasn't long until I was behind them making the two mile journey to the steel mill.
I will say that this was the longest it ever taken me to go that two miles. We were doing five MPH or less. I almost got stuck due to the fact that we were going too slow. Those two trucks were from Alabama so I doubt the drivers have much winter driving experience.
The biggest problems in winter driving is acceleration and braking. That is why they tell you to turn off the cruise control in bad weather. Keep a steady speed. A slower speed can be just as dangerous as a higher speed.
One last thing about winter driving, why do people dress like Eskimos? I see drivers with their big heavy coat, hat, gloves and scarf on. You want to talk about unsafe driving. How many truck drivers have you seen that are dressed as if their heaters were not working?
I hope everyone has a safe winter. Slow down but not so slow to where it is not safe. Take off your jacket and get comfortable while driving. Most important of all, if you don't need to be out here, stay home.
Ron Moore is a professional truck driver and contributing columnist. E-mail
ron_weasel@yahoo.com
