BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Plenty of drivers were nervous about going out on the roads at any time Monday. Some schools were closed, and there were cars in ditches along the highway.
A Bellevue truck stop saw a big crowd, as the snow came down Monday night. Regardless of the snowy conditions, semi-truck drivers like James McAlpine still have to travel.
“It was OK until I got to Illinois — that’s when the weather got pretty bad. So, once I got here, I went out here and parked for the day.”
McAlpine traveled 400 miles Monday from Oklahoma.
Some drivers at the County Express Truck Stop in Bellevue say that they feel it’s important to take breaks, and when the roads are bad, to call it a night.
“I try not to drive in the icy, sleet, rain conditions. There’s too many wrecks,” says McAlpine. “I want to get home to my family…it can wait,”
Other drivers say they prefer to get the job done and drive through the conditions.
“I’m used it. When I first started, it was a little scary,” says semi-truck driver Charles Feldpausch. “For me, it’s not bad. I’ve been doing it for 43 years.”
Feldpausch came from Dubuque, Iowa and he says he comes prepared for an unexpected or extended stop.
“Oh, yeah, I got all kinds of food. I got food for two weeks in there.”
“I got an icebox, TV, food — so, I got everything I need just like at home,” says McAlpine.
Over at Fox Valley Technical College Director of Truck Driving, Rob Behnke tells us the students learn in wet and slippery conditions, like these, to prepare them for all elements.
“When we feel it’s safe and appropriate, if the staff member and the student feel comfortable to go out on a day like today, then we certainly will. It’s supervised, of course. We may change the path or the route that we take to try to reduce or prevent a student from getting into a dangerous situation.”
There are simulators where students can practice before they get behind the wheel in the elements.
“Stuff has to get delivered. I signed up for it; it’s part of my job,” says McAlpine.
But on days like these, drivers use their own judgement.
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