Last winter, I found that a flat blade shovel came in handy, to help get the cars in front of you unstuck.

Also, when parking for the nite in snow, it pays to roll back and forth in your tracks a few times. The tires are less likely to become frozen the the ground.

 

While this story doesn't get real deep into details . .

Fiery semi crash shuts down Colorado 287 in Kiowa County - La Junta, CO - Ag Journal

. . it's obvious that the NB Driver broke traction FIRST and the SB Driver got the ticket because he was going too fast to be able to respond to the NB Driver . . and that is precisely how the law is written. The other guy breaking traction in these conditions is reasonably foreseeable and our speed has to be adjusted down with that in mind.

As for the jakes, I, too, am all jakes, all the time, except when I'm empty, wicked light or bobtailing. If my speed is appropriate to the conditions, I don't have to worry about the jakes throwing me into a jackknife.

 

I bought one of those kids snowshovels, about 3 ft long and kept it behind the passenger seat. Used it a bunch of times at customers to get me moving. Also, go to Wal-Mart and buy a plastic jug of de-icer and one of kitty litter and throw them in your side-box. They will help get you moving if you get stuck on the ice. When I park for the night on packed snow/ice I always stop, do my log book and fiddle around a little then move about 1 ft forward or back to get out of the spot that I was in as my tires prob melted into the pack and left me a little hole that would suck in the morning. And be very careful about parking on any incline. Just a little will get you stuck.

 

"Too fast for conditions" is one of those catch-all tickets that gets alot of people when the cops decide to charge the driver with something and nothing else will stick. Still, you should be able to stop at all times.

 

You're right. The law DOES say you must maintain control of your vehicle at all times. Wonder... Does that include when you're on your way down a 300' embankment?