Letters to the Editor: Four-Wheeler’s View, Retreads Praised, Freight to Rail, Speed Limiters
b> Four-Wheeler’s View
I offended a trucker Tuesday, Sept. 26, while traveling in the right lane in my Honda Accord at 65 mph on Interstate 75 somewhere near Exit 170, at about 10 p.m.
As the trucker approached to within three to four car lengths, continuing to close the distance between us, I turned on my emergency flashers.
The nation’s highways have become more hazardous over the past few years. I see an increasing tendency for a great many drivers — big rigs and passenger vehicles alike — to follow others too closely and at excessive speeds too hazardous to allow for reaction time or braking distance.
It always amuses me when I hear news reports of multiple-vehicle pileup “accidents” caused by poor driving conditions. Often, the news media blame weather when the “accident” was actually caused by lack of intelligent driving. Consequently, I drive defensively — for self-preservation.
Driving any vehicle is neither rocket science nor fly-by-wire flight. Driving must be done with a degree of wisdom learned from what we see on the highways and in news reports.
My son-in-law drives a big rig, hauling from Ohio to Florida, Texas, etc. What I have written in this letter to the editor was not written with him in mind, nor with any prodding, help nor input from him. He has told me of the bad driving habits and generally bad — unsafe — behavior of some four-wheelers. One does not have to be on the highway long before witnessing the same first-hand. What you have pointed out as the opinions of big-riggers can be laid at the feet of the poor education of our nation’s drivers, i.e., just plain ignorance of general safe driving habits.
And most of this ignorance is on the part of the four-wheelers, not the professional big-riggers.
Until our legislators and authorities develop the energy or courage to do something about the situation, defensive driving will help to increase chances of survival for all.
LeRoy (Bob) Heibel
i> Wauseon, Ohio
Retreads Praised
Your article, “Retreads Add Miles to Fleet Tires; Dicey Choice for Owner-Operators,” was right on the mark (8-7, p. 10). Every day, when I look at fuel prices and the high cost of new tires, I realize that the retread industry really does offer a wonderful alternative to trucking fleets and owner-operators.
When I got into this industry more than 30 years ago, retreads were OK, but they always had a higher adjustment rate than comparable new tires. Today, thanks to advances in nondestructive testing methods, improved rubber compounds and technology, the adjustment rate for retread failures by top quality retreaders is actually lower than that for comparable new tires. Quite an improvement for a field that used to be known as the Rodney Dangerfield of the tire industry. And we are getting better all the time
Harvey Brodsky
i> Managing Director
ire Retread
nformation Bureau/TRIB
acific Grove, Calif.
Freight to Rail
About the story “Virginia Transportation Board Approves I-81 Rail Study” (10-23, p. 7):
I guess I’m a little confused. Are trucking companies supposed to be happy to hear that the Commonwealth of Virginia is going to move their freight to rail instead of utilizing our companies?
Jan Fitzhugh
i> Safety Director
op Gun Enterprises Inc.
eagoville, Texas
Speed Limiters
You probably won’t print this because it speaks the truth, but Schneider, J.B. Hunt, C.R. England, Covenant, Dart, U.S. Xpress, Jet Express and the others are trying to ruin the trucking business.
They want to have the government mandate speed limiters on all trucks. Well, guess what — it won’t be done to mine. I’ll quit trucking before I let that happen. That’s why we have this so-called driver shortage — too many rules and regulations.
It’s a proven fact that speed limiters will cause split speed limits, and that is the most dangerous thing we face day in, day out.
I’ve been driving for 25 years and we have speed limiters now — speed limits and the police who are paid to enforce them.
Those in favor of speed limiters just want the government to regulate trucking to help them retain drivers. But last year, during the highway bill debate, they would not get behind a mandated fuel surcharge because that would be regulating trucking.
The only trucks I see speeding every day are the ones that are governed down. They speed in school zones, construction zones and two-lane, 55-mph roads because their trucks are so slow they have to make up time somewhere.
I saw a documentary on Henry Ford. He needed more employees, so guess what he did? He upped the pay and shortened the workday. As a result, he got more employees and was able to sell his Model T for less.
C.E. Guintard
i> Owner-Operator
randlake, La.
These letters appear in the Oct. 30 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
