Pickup or delivery? Risks of driving in North Texas freezing weather
Fort Worth is looking at some freezing weather this weekend.
If you need to stock up on essentials and don’t want to brave the potentially icy roads, food delivery apps will continue to operate this week. It is up to the delivery drivers on whether they are willing to work during inclement weather.
But is letting someone else brave the storm better than getting those eggs, milk and bread yourself?
Nearly 900 Americans are killed and nearly 76,000 are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet every year, according to the Federal Highway Administration. An additional 1,300 people are killed and 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement.
TxDOT strongly encourages against driving on icy roads. If you do decide to run out yourself, the good general rule of thumb is: go slow.
Do delivery drivers get extra pay for inclement weather?
Ride share and delivery apps do not directly give employees extra pay for working in slippery conditions in inclement weather. However, according to an Uber Drive Facebook Group, prices tend to surge on snow days due to less drivers working, and longer ride times due to road conditions.
Drivers for Door Dash, Uber Eats and GrubHub start with a base pay that depends on the order total, delivery time and desirability. They also keep 100% of their tips. So if you dare to order in a snow storm, know that a generous tip would be greatly appreciated.
Is it rude to order food delivery during a winter storm?
Based on social media comments from on Reddit, ordering DoorDash during snowy weather is controversial.
Some are concerned that the risk of driving poses too much of a threat to others.
On the flip side, one Reddit user, who also works for Door Dash, commented: “The whole job is based on us being able to choose if we want to take on the order or not, so don’t feel bad.”
If you do end up ordering, here are things you should do to make it easier on your delivery driver.
- Make a clear, non-slippery path from the street to your door. Or even meet your dasher outside at their car so they do not have to get out or risk slipping.
- Tip well. Drivers keep 100% of their tips, and they are risking their own safety for yours.
- Outline detailed instructions to your house. Expect that some signs may be difficult to read in snow or rain.
- Leave a good review for your driver.
- Make sure your order is worth it. “You know you’re an asshole [expletive] for wanting a $10 coffee delivered in a snowstorm.” one Reddit user said.
What to expect if you order food delivery in stormy weather
If you do end up ordering food while the roads are snowy or icy, be patient.
Drivers must comply with the posted speed limits. Slippery roads mean that they will be driving slower than normal.
Most food delivery apps can announce a “severe weather protocol” which will temporarily shut down the app due to unsafe weather conditions that are unsafe.
Tips for driving with snow, sludge, slush or ice on Fort Worth roads
TxDOT has some general guidelines for driving during or on snow:
- Slow down. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions.
- Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice. Normal following distance is typically three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you, so on snow, follow five to six seconds behind.
- Watch carefully for snow removal equipment and stay at least 200 feet behind snow plows.
- Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas, as they tend to freeze first.
- If your vehicle starts to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes and steer into the direction of the skid until you have regained traction. Then straighten your vehicle.
Auto and travel insurance agency, AAA recommends the following tips for gauging gaging how fast you should drive be driving on snow, ice or slush:
- On snow or ice, your car will have lower traction, so drive around 15-30 mph slower than normal.
- Accelerate and decelerate slower than normal. It takes longer to slow down on slippery roads.
- Don’t stop completely if you don’t have to. “There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling,” according to AAA.
- Don’t power up going on hills. Try to speed up before and use that inertia to carry you up.
- Don’t stop while driving uphill.
This story was inspired by previous reporting from the Star-Telegram’s Ella Gonzales.