Speakout

More courtesy needed

I’d like to know where the courtesy went in trucking. Are we drivers so caught up in selfish concerns that we ignore other people’s needs? On our team drives to Miami, my husband and I see so much disrespect, and we no longer listen to the radio because of the profanity. With all the challenges of driving among four-wheelers, you’d think that truckers would cooperate with and respect one another.

It saddens me because I’m old enough to remember when drivers stopped to help a fellow driver, and we talked on the radio to keep each other awake. Several drivers have told me how much it meant just to talk them to safety. I’m glad I came up when I did or I could be like these drivers today.

JULIE COPELAND | Copeland Trucking | Jacksonville, Fla.


Santa Untitled 1“I have been accused of looking just like Santa.”

— KKW Trucking driver Dan Barton, speaking to the Tri-City Herald (Wash.) after rescuing a lost 4-year-old boy who, ignoring other onlookers, ran up to him on Highway 395.



Hours plan would thwart normal business patterns

My husband and I, who are independent owner-operators, are worried that our livelihood will be drastically altered if the proposed hours-of-service plan is approved. We have built our business over many years of hard and dedicated service to our customers.

If the proposed hours go into effect, we will be forced to give up accounts because we would miss the delivery by a mere few hours. My husband would be required to sit in his truck for two days, unable to deliver on time or come home to be with his family.

Also, food and refrigerated products could be stuck for two extra days in a truck because a driver ran out of hours. And loads sitting in trucks are at greater risk of being stolen or hijacked, the net result of which would be higher costs for consumers due to insurance coverage.

Instead of creating jobs, as the federal government has promised to work on, the hours of service as outlined could weaken product demand and reduce manufacturing jobs because of spiraling costs.

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These regulations seem like socialist practices instead of a democracy for the people. Truckers need help to keep their jobs in this once-great nation.

DIANE MARCHAND | H&D America | Williston, Fla.


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the editor to Lucinda Coulter at [email protected] or mail it to Overdrive, P.O. Box 3187, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403.


How has the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program affected you?

“A lot of detection devices [focus] on your speed. With CSA my company uses [the tracking system] Chris Lanning Untitled 1OnGuard.”

CHRIS LANNING

U.S. Xpress company driver

Chino Hills, Calif.


Frank Cato Untitled 1“You already have enough stress worrying about doing your job and it gives you something else to worry about.”

FRANK CATO

D&C Trucking company driver

Chester, S.C.


James Morgan Untitled 1“I got a warning ticket plus the points for a headlight that had been out after I checked it that morning and before I crossed the scales. I didn’t agree with that.”

JAMES MORGAN

Owner-operator

Leased to Dart Transit

Franklin, Ky.


Jenni Untitled 1“It keeps you more aware of how you perform and makes you more accountable as a professional driver. It will help to eventually ‘clean up’ the trucking industry.”

JENNI REYNOLDS-KEBLER

Quest Global company driver

Battle Ground, Wash.