Dealing with Storms
This has been a heck of a week for truckers. Winter storm Jona has basically shut down the mid 
Atlantic region of the country. We had snow and ice across the south. There are stories of major crashes. We have seen pictures of thousands stranded out on the highways. Living and running in the upper mid west I have dealt with many storms over the years. I jack knifed twice in the 90s. I have been stranded on the highway. Hopefully, I have learned a few things over the years.
Technology has improved. Today's trucks handle better in adverse weather. Anti lock braking systems decrease the probability of a skid. Tires are better. Information technology has improved as well. Weather predictions are far better than “back in the day”. We have satellite radio. States have websites with current conditions. You should know a storm like this is coming. Stay safe. Park it before you get into the storm's path. A year from now no one will remember that you were the one that made it through. They will remember if you were the one who crashed.
Mistakes have taught me. My head is not as hard as it used to be. I used to be the one who took pride in making it through. Yes, I remember being the young horse. If I 80 was shut down across Indiana, I would be one of those drivers who would find a two lane that had not been shut down. Once one of the older guys shut it down between Illinois and the Indiana Tollway (it was $12.80 back then). I was young and stubborn US 6 was still open. I made it across. It took me almost 7 hours to handle that 130 mile stretch. He was sleeping. I was crawling. It did not make any sense.
Attitudes have changed. Dispatchers used to complain to me about drivers who shut down for a few inches of snow. It was well known that drivers who pleased their dispatchers tended to get better 
freight. Now, companies encourage, or will even pay drivers to shut down in bad weather. Safety scores don't reward you for making it through a storm. They punish you and your company for wrecking in one. Electronic enforcement has made it impractical to run in extreme weather. Back when I ran across US 6 that night, I probably logged in in 2-2.5 hours. The rest of the time, on paper would have been sleeper berth. You can't get away with that now.
“Just go as far as you can.” isn't practical anymore. Why go until the highway is shut down and get stranded on the road? The closer you get to the storm, the harder parking spots will be to come by. Don't leave until the clean up starts. A storm this big is going to take awhile. Stay home if you can. Splurge, get a motel. Whatever you do – Stay safe. The risk is not worth the reward.
Current streak -6 YTD miles - 82