Can a company make you

kutztowndriver · #1 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 03:18 AM

Can a company make you drive during a snow storm? What are the DOT regulations/rules concening driving when it's snowing outside? Do you have to drive during a snow sorm or can you reguuse because of the weather? I am trying to figure out if you "Must" go out and drive if you feel the weather is bad? I was always under the understanding unless the state declares a "weather emergency" a driver is still responsible to drive his or her route. Can someone clear this up and if possible show me the dot rules/guidelines about this situation. A coworker told me it's totally up to the driver is they wish to work during a snow storm and I thought it's a rules that a company can fire you for resuing to work.

JohnnyBravo209 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 03:34 AM

Hell no they cant make you. That is you CDL you need to protect. If your dispatcher has a problem with you not running talk to the safety person at your company.

truckinusa · #3 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kutztowndriver

Can a company make you drive during a snow storm? What are the DOT regulations/rules concening driving when it's snowing outside? Do you have to drive during a snow sorm or can you reguuse because of the weather? I am trying to figure out if you "Must" go out and drive if you feel the weather is bad? I was always under the understanding unless the state declares a "weather emergency" a driver is still responsible to drive his or her route. Can someone clear this up and if possible show me the dot rules/guidelines about this situation. A coworker told me it's totally up to the driver is they wish to work during a snow storm and I thought it's a rules that a company can fire you for resuing to work.

There was a lawsuit by a Roadway driver regarding this exact issue. Basically the way it works is if you know there is a weather emergency(TV, NOAA, etc) then you don't have to leave the terminal. If you are already out in it though then you are kinda out of luck. You can still shut it down though.

ranger309 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 05:43 AM

Lots of companies will fire you if trucks are still going through.
I wouldn't go through if I was pulling empty pups.Other then that you chain up and go. No one said trucking was easy.

truckinusa · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 05:55 AM

Your Rights Under the STAA: Refusing to Drive Under Bad Weather | Teamsters for a Democratic Union

here is the explanation. This is for any driver. Union or Non Union in case you were wondering.

HeavyLoad · #6 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 07:26 AM

You dont have to drive through a snow storm no.

But Some truckers will. If they know the road they are driveing on really well.

Out here ive seen truckers force there way through 5 feet of snow on the roads!

In a snow storm its your decision if you want to wait it out or risk driveing through it