Semi drivers fill Lincoln truck stop to avoid ‘idiots’ on road during snowstorm

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The parking lot of Shoemaker’s filled up quickly with semitrailers Monday as the snow fell.

The truck stop at West O and Northwest 48 streets is a favorite of truck drivers who need a break from driving on the interstate in bad weather.

A former truck driver, Krista Skarin, had a strong message for those driving: “If you’re not comfortable being out there, don’t be out there. Park it.”

She said there are a few things truck drivers have to keep in mind while driving in these conditions.

“You just have to calm yourself down because there are a lot of idiots out there, I’m sorry to say,” Skarin said. “But they don’t know how to drive in this stuff.”

She said everyone should slow down and increase your following distance.

“And look out for the dummies in front of you and behind you because they do follow too close,” Skarin said.

She stopped to eat lunch at Shoemaker’s Restaurant.

One of the managers there, Tammy Boyd Pleasant, said she normally sees a big influx of customers when the weather gets bad.

“They’re all packed in here in the restaurant,” she said. “And the parking lot is just crazy. Can’t nobody get in, can’t nobody get out.”

But Monday was a slow day at the restaurant because Interstate 80 was open east of Grand Island all day.

One trucker called it a day around 2 p.m.

Rob Oldham, a semi driver from Kansas City, has been trucking for 28 years now.

Even with the experience, when the weather gets bad, he doesn’t feel too comfortable driving.

“Makes me real nervous because other people have all of the distractions nowadays,” Oldham said. “People on their phones, laptops. And people going too fast, might hit a little slush, ice, slide right into me or spin out.”

Oldham said he’ll spend the night in Lincoln.

“Once this all dies down, I’ll ease on out of here,” he said.