Driven Women

That’s just mean!

GG—When you first started driving, were you afraid to drive on mountains, especially on snow and ice? My husband thinks I’m a chicken and shouldn’t have even been allowed to get my license because I don’t want to drive on mountains. I’d rather him be mad at me than drive us to our graves. Is it just my husband, or are men just impatient with women drivers?
     This was my first taste of winter driving, and my husband expected me to drive through Flagstaff when it was snowing and icy! Isn’t that just mean?!
Helen A., Ohio

Helen, I was terrified, but I never shied away from a mountain. Once, however, I stopped dead going up a mountain and couldn’t get the truck rolling again. My co-driver wasn’t happy with me, but he took over and got us going again. That happened once.
     You should be cautious, Helen, but you must try. If you don’t learn, you’ll be a burden. That means that the truck’s (you and your husband’s) earning potential will be limited, based on your seasonal driving preferences. Not good.
     Ask your dispatcher to limit (not eliminate) your northern loads until you get a few more miles logged. Don’t avoid driving in inclement weather; simply start on flat roads. If you don’t push yourself, your husband and dispatcher will, and they will be mean.
     And know when it’s time to stop the truck. Key indicators are when the roads are shut down, you can’t see through the ice chunks on your windshield or the trailer is somewhat parallel to the cab. Pull over.
     Safe travels,
     GG

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You can e-mail Golden Girl at goldengirl@otrprotrucker.com or mail your letter to Over the Road Magazine, P.O. Box 549, Roswell, GA 30077-0549.