This letter is in reference to the article “Nature’s Fury” (page 8, February 2001)
I drove through the Tuscaloosa, Ala., area where the tornado had struck about three days later, and the destruction was frightful. Even the CAT Scales were out of order at both truckstops.
The article reminded me of something that I have argued about for years to no avail. It is that nationwide, all AM and FM radio stations, and the weather band channels, for that matter, broadcast severe weather warning information in a format that is of little use to truck drivers, RV operators or out-of-town four-wheelers.
The broadcasts usually cite counties or cities. Out-of-town drivers who listen to the broadcasts, usually do not know which county they are presently in and which county is only a few more miles down the road in the direction of travel.
Perhaps you can convince the National Weather Service to issue warnings with the traveler in mind. In addition to the format that it gives the warning in now, all there is to add are traveler specific locations including interstates or highways and mile markers. It would help if the broadcasts would give some shelter areas for travelers, too. This would paint an understandable picture for the traveler as to where the danger areas are.
Mike Pazsint
New Castle, Pa.
Idling Along
I just finished reading the article in the April 2001 edition of Truckers News about the driver who can’t understand why drivers idle their trucks. While I agree that there are those who do idle their trucks excessively, I do not agree with the view point of the article.
