Those Nasty Truckers

I guess we’ve heard it all. Noisy, Too Big, Too Fast, Too many, Run you off the road, taking over the interstates, cause accidents, yadda yadda.

Let’s deal with these perceptions. Remember, perceptions left uncorrected become reality.

Noisy: Yes, some are. Some seem to think that straight exhaust is good. To me it’s more show than functional. Besides, some motorcycles are noisier than trucks. Again more show than go.

Too Big: Hang on, if the ATA (American Trucking Association) has it’s way they’ll get bigger. The ATA is made up of Trucking Company Owners who want to move more freight per driver. Part of this is desire for more profit, but in a deregulated business, like transportation, profits can be very elusive. Part of this is a shortage of drivers. In most States you’ll see a truck pulling 2 trailers, and in the North West it’s not uncommon to see 3 trailers. Some, like the New York Thruway, allow 2 full sized trailers. If you think that is big, check out Australia that will allow 5 full sized trailers behind a truck. Big really isn’t the issue training, and this doesn’t mean just the truck driver. 4 wheelers need the training too on how to interact with trucks. Boaters who have gone through captain training know how to work with larger boats and ocean liners without difficulty. Yes there are idiots on the waterways, but hopefully they are removed from the gene pool without hurting anyone else. A private pilot can fly safely in the same skies with a 747. It’s all training and understanding each ones limits and respecting the others.

Too Fast: I think anytime a truck passes a 4 wheeler the notion is, they ALL go too fast. The truth is that 80% of all trucks on the highway are governed to go no faster than 70mph. Try this little test. Next time you’re in the family car on a trip, count the number of trucks you pass vs. the number of trucks that pass you. I think you’ll be amazed at the results. Why not count the number of $50,000 SUV’s and pick up trucks that think they own the passing lane, pass you. Little known fact. Speedometers in trucks are far more accurate than cars. Car manufacturers like to show you’re going 80mph., when in reality you’re only going 70.

Too many: If you think there are too many now, wait a few more years. Transportation demands are not being met. Put more trailers and containers on railroads. Unfortunately they are at capacity now. If you’ve ever driven in the Western States along Interstates 10,20 and 40, you’ll see thousands of containers, most stacked 2 high, and truck trailers on rail cars. I’ve been to Clovis NM where a train goes through every few minutes with 3 to 4, noisy by the way, engines pulling anywhere from 50 to 75 sections. Yesterday on I-10 between Las Cruses NM and the Arizona Border (about 150 miles) I counted 74 freight units with about 75% hauling containers and truck trailers. Let’s play with numbers, If 50 rail units each had 75 containers and were being hauled by a truck that would be 3750 more trucks on the interstate in that 150 mile stretch. By the way I did see one Amtrack. I guess if more people rode the rail, there would be less problems on the highways.

Run you off the road: I must admit, I’ve seen very few 4 wheelers in the ditch, or median all by themselves, unless they were speeding when road conditions were bad or icy, or when drivers were on their cel phones and not paying attention. That’s a whole other story and don’t get me started on people not paying attention to their driving. I could write another blog on the things I see when cars are passing me.

Taking over the interstates: When President Eisenhower first proposed the interstate system, what was the purpose? Answer. “The rapid movement of military and commerce.” So to the 4 wheelers, you are the ones who are encroaching on our space.

Cause accidents: Statistics prove this is absolutely untrue. About 75% of all accidents where an 18 wheeler is involved are caused by 4 wheelers. Of the other 25% I would say many are caused by 18 wheelers anticipating that a 4 wheeler knows how to drive properly. One of the big causes is when a 4 wheeler dives into the space in front of a truck and then slams on the brakes. Why does a truck driver leave that space there in the first place? Which is going to stop quicker 40 tons or moving mass or a 3000 pound automobile? Chicago is the first city I’ve seen where they display on their orange alert signs a warning to motorists about cutting in front of trucks. Thank you.

Now for a bit of pontificating. If we are going to see more cars and more trucks sharing the same roads, then there needs to be a greater emphasis placed on education and enforcement. Do I think the 18 wheelers that will speed over 100mph are exempt? Hell no. Should there be a restriction on the speed of trucks? Only if the same restriction is placed on cars. Should there be dual speed limits for cars and trucks? Absolutely not, it’s been proven to be unsafe and is only used by those states to generate revenue. Do you hear me Ohio and Oregon? If we’re all using the same roads, then education and enforcement should be uniform. Too many drivers, and that included truck drivers are turned loose on the highways without adequate training. Is there adequate enforcement?
I think there should be more. Much has been done to improve and enforce rules on the commercial side. It’s time to do a lot more to get the unsafe, uneducated, uncaring and drunk 4 wheelers off the roads.

Footnote: Isn’t it amazing how we’re all concerned about 3500 military being killed in Iraq and don’t give a darn about 50,000 being killed each year on America’s Highways. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not uncaring about the military fatalities, I am. I guess we haven’t been able to politicize highway fatalities.

Enjoy the day

Geezer

Category Posted: General