P.M. Executive Briefing - Sept. 13
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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I-78 Plagued by Fatal Truck Crashes
Thirty-two miles of I-78 in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pa., saw three deaths in truck crashes this year, after two deadly truck wrecks in 1998 and one in 1997. Since the opening of the interstate ten years ago, big rigs were involved in 48 percent of fatal crashes there, compared to 37 percent on all Pennsylvania interstates in the last ten years. No one is sure whether the problem is a statistical blip or caused by the high truck-trafficand overall traffic volumes and the rising speeds there.Valley Hauling trucker Victor Shotko blames the problem on speeders, and mentions that many truckers drive too fast because of per-mile pay schedules and employers' demands.
Mike Russell of the American Trucking Associations says motorists need to give trucks plenty of space, since they take more time to stop, and to make sure they are visible in the truck's mirrors.
Meanwhile, Greenwich Township resident Mort Smedley complained in a letter to the editor that trucks are going too fast. Russell says a Federal Highway Administration study put the amount of fatal truck crashes resulting from the motorist's behavior at 71 percent, and 89 percent if the crash ishead-on. He also says truckers who "should not be on the road" are "a very small minority," and that motorists are usually less skilled drivers than truckers are.
State police Maj. Robert G. Werts says that contrary to what letter-writer Smedley says, there is enough traffic enforcement on I-78. Transportation Department chief engineer Gary L. Hoffman says while drivers' behavior is mostly at fault, there are also problems with road construction, much of which has become obsolete since being built in the 1950s. Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) Online (09/12/99); Hartzell, Dan; Wilkerson, James E.
Akron City Council Wheels Turn Again
The Akron City Council is back in session today and will be considering a proposal to prohibit the parking of big rigs in residential neighborhoods. Since the bill's proposal, Mayor Don Plusquellic has come out in support of it. But truckers claimed that the ban would discriminate against them and keep them from making a living. Akron Beacon Journal Online (09/12/99); Korte, Gregory$25 Million Authorized to Cut Diesel Pollution
The South Coast Air Quality Management District in California decided Friday that it will spend $25 million for the replacement of more than 800 diesel vehicles with vehicles burning less-polluting alternative fuels, as well as for research on how to cut toxic emissions including diesel. The California Trucking Association says it will fight the possible use of diesel-engine regulations that would push businesses to pay to use alternative-fueled vehicles and get rid of diesel vehicles. Sacramento Bee Online (09/11/99)Caltrans System Not All It Was Cracked Up to Be
While the California Transportation Department started using a new truck-permitting program Friday, state Sen. Joe Dunn (D-Santa Ana) says the program does not live up to vow to keep department employees from allowing overheight trucks onto routes with overpasses too low. The program only flags overpasses that do not have sufficient clearance for the truck, but workers might miss the reason behind the warning."I had the distinct impression that the program would prevent a permit writer from moving to the next screen if there was a problem," says Dunn. Department spokesman Jim Drago says the department is still developing a system with the promised features. Orange County Register Online (09/11/99) ; Kindy, Kimberly
EEOC Sues Firm, Alleges Harassment
The federal government has sued G.I. Trucking Co. in a Houston court, alleging a former manager sexually harassed three workers. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's case names former terminal manager Stan Tomscak, and alleges he made sexual jokes, discussed his desire to date people working for him, and rubbed his body against them.Kandie Bush and Dianna Essex complained about the manager's behavior and was told it would stop, but they argue that it only continued. Counsel for G.I Trucking has not seen a copy of the complaint, and was not able to comment.
Neither Deshandra Johnson, the third woman who was allegedly harassed by Tomscak, nor Bush nor Essex, work for G.I. Trucking any longer. Essex and Johnson were fired, but the EEOC is arguing that a hostile work environment forced Bush to quit. Houston Chronicle (09/11/99) P. 3C; Sixel, L.M.
Trailmobile Names New President
The dry-freight trailer maker Trailmobile Canada Ltd. has appointed Mark Burgess its new president, effective Oct. 1. Burgess currently serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Trailmobile Corp., parent company of Trailmobile Canada. Reuters (09/10/99)HDA Parts System, Inc. and Quality Distributions Service Partners, Inc. Sign Definitive Merger Agreement
The truck-parts distributors HDA Parts System and Quality Distribution Service Partners are merging to form FleetPride, which will be the biggest independent entity in its market segment with more than $500 million in revenue. Fleet Equipment (07/99) Vol. 25, No. 7, P. 30© copyright 1999 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
