Wyoming is known to have the worst winters. The average temperature during winters falls as low as 0°F (-17.8°C). And during the winter, the state witnesses high-speed winds that cause the danger of blow-over situations for truckers.
If you ask any experienced driver who has passed through Wyoming during winters, then he would tell you how dangerous the situations get for the truckers. And snow is not the only main culprit, but the high-speed winds are too.
In a survey conducted by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services & Wyoming Trucking Association, 24% of the respondents cited high winds/blow-over risk. In contrast, 29% cited "Winter weather" or snow to be the most problematic thing about trucking during the winter.
What Challenges Do The Truckers Face During The Winters?
Visibility Next to Nothing
Visibility is the worst factor for trucking through Wyoming during the winters. Truckers have reported having close calls from driving off the road due to next to no visibility.
The high-speed winds carry snow with them, making it almost impossible for the truckers to get a clear view of the road ahead of them. This substantially increases the chances of accidents or driving off the road.
Very low visibility leaves the truckers disoriented leaving them with no choice but to call it a day. A lot of truckers decide to stop on the roadside because they get blinded.
Accidents
Truckers not only face problems due to high-wind speed and low visibility but also because of slippery roads. Due to a considerable amount of snowfall, the road builds up an ice layer atop of it. This creates serious issues with the truckers.
Imagine going downhill with a loaded trailer and suddenly the traffic light, at the end of the downhill, going red. You will press hard on the brake making the trailer slide over from either side. This may cause the trailer to jackknifed & possibly causing a rollover leaving you tormented & a substantial monetary loss.
Getting Stuck on the Highway
Sometimes the truckers may get stuck on the highway due to deep snow or due to a faulty engine or system failure. In remote areas, you are just going to have to wait until help arrives. In situations like this, you can get stranded for a prolonged period with no food or water.
No Space at Rest Areas
During winters, most truckers decide to call it a day and head to rest areas due to dangerous road conditions or due to a snowstorm. Bad weather causes a lot of traffic in these places.
Imagine you are a trucker who decides to hit the rest area, but you do not find any place to park your truck, so you choose to look for the next rest area, but all in vain. You are all tired and frustrated or scared due to a snowstorm or low visibility but are not able to find any place in any rest areas. How scary or inconvenient would that be?!
This is what some truckers have to face while passing through Wyoming during the winters.
Passing Snowplows
Wyoming Department of Transportation advises drivers not to pass snowplows. Doing so can be dangerous as the snowplow kicks up snow and causing zero visibility as you pass them. Also, don't tailgate a snowplow and give them some room. As they are applying sand and deicing and anti-icing chemicals to help improve traction and braking.
We know it's frustrating to follow snowplows as they are usually traveling slow, and you are trying to meet deadlines. But remember, the safest driving surface is behind the plow. If you must pass, don't pass on the right into the plume of snow being moved.