Trucker: beet harvest driving rules ‘relaxed’ to possibly dangerous level

The Trucker News Services

11/20/2009

I just read the article about North Dakota and relaxed driving rules for the beet harvest.

Well in Manitoba and Saskatchewan it is far more widespread in that if a tandem grain truck is farm registered, a person with a regular Class 5 driver’s license is allowed to operate this unit anywhere. Also, a farmer can hook up a pup to this power unit.

Nowhere does it say the driver (who just might be 17 years old) has to get a medical, take a test in the operation, get an air brake certificate or anything.

I have questioned this practice and I get: "the political parties don't want to rock the boat" answer. These units can legally haul more than a straight semi and be more dangerous and that puts the regular driving population at risk.

I find this such an antiquated system; sure 20 years ago farmers hauled their produce 10 miles to the local elevator. Now they haul 100 miles or more and in some cases over 800 kilometers to market.

I just thought that maybe with your publication you could actually research this type of thing. Thanks.

— Ray Christie,
Foxwarren,
Manitoba, Canada

Reader would like to see national ban on cell phone use, texting

I read your recent article on cell phone and texting. I live in Mount Pleasant, Mich., a college town, and all you see is people on their cell phones and texting and not paying attention to how they're driving.

Instead of going through a green light they sit there or [they’re] running lights.

I’d like to see a national ban on all cell phones and texting with heavy fines.

— Michael Thayer

Shake hands? Not on a cold, snowy day in the high country

Seriously? 

Shake hands and be done with it?

What in the corn bread hell are you talking about (in response to Editor Lyndon Finney’s opinion column posted recently on thetrucker.com Web site)?

I mean come on, truck drivers are already faced with big box companies driving the median wage down to nothing.

Brokers low-balling freight and skimming fuel surcharges and Mexican based trucking companies coming into the U.S. hauling freight for 15 pesos a mile with no health care benefits or 401k.  Now you are advocating reducing drivers Hours of Service? 

By shaking hands, you and anyone else suggesting such action are undermining the professional skills CDL holders have. … 

I am sorry, but making a statement like you did in your recent article is criminal to the 1.8 plus million professional truck drivers out delivering America's on-demand, my way right away Burger King lifestyle.

Shake hands? 

Not on a cold snowy day in the high country.

— Seth Ward

Special interest groups ruining joy of trucking for career driver

I've been a driver for almost 25 years. Over the years I’ve been afforded many opportunities to drive all kinds of trucks and trailers.

When I first started I woke up every morning [and] couldn't wait to jump behind the wheel and go. I still love to drive but these special interest groups need to mind there own business. Have any of these people from the special interest groups every driven truck or have any idea what we go through on daily basis? Sure, anyone can tell someone else how to run their trucks, but can they drive a mile in our shoes or back up a mile in our shoes?  In their perfect world sitting behind a desk it always looks good on paper.  Do they have any clue in the world what really goes on out here? Shippers and receivers are rude and don't care how long we sit in their docks. If we are late — regardless of the reason — we get no sympathy. If they are late we have to be understanding and polite.

 Next thought: over the years I’ve watched many sunrises and sunsets through the windshield and missed holidays and birthdays of my loved ones in order to get the job done. This caused my divorce because I love to drive so much. I've now found a company that actually treats me like a human being not a number working in a sweatshop or the owner of the company being completely driven by greed not need. For that I am grateful.

These EOBRs in some cases [are] for newer drivers, not that I am knocking them because we all had to start somewhere. But as a seasoned veteran I am going to run my truck the way it needs to be run to service my customers to the best of my ability. I know when I am tired in the middle of the afternoon and need to take a two- or three-hour nap [and] I am going to. I don't need equipment to tell me when I'm tired or when to rest. I’ve been very fortunate in my 25 years to have zero at-fault accidents and very few other citations. So who is someone in Washington to tell me what to do, when to do it and how to do it?

These states that are shutting down rest areas because of budget cuts should be ashamed of themselves. You've got people sitting idle in prisons; why can't they go out and mow grass and clean toilets to help keep these rest areas open? We are already supporting their laziness, now. They can get out and earn their three square meals a day.  And while they are doing it have them wear pink like the warden in Phoenix does to curb their appetite from doing anymore wrong doings.

These states that treat us drivers as soon as they pull us over like hardened criminals should also be ashamed of themselves. We are guilty until we can prove ourselves innocent.

These truck stops that charge outrageous prices for meals and showers should be ashamed of themselves as well. Without us they would not be in business. The tourists are only out here a short time during the year; we are out here 365 days year. The alleged stuff they call food the owners of the truck stops should be forced to eat every day. Then they might have a different opinion on what they consider food.

In closing, thank you to The Trucker newspaper for allowing us to get out our views and opinions. Although sometimes we may not agree with everything that's printed, we still have freedom of the press and freedom of speech. A few of my favorite quotes are:  “American by birth, trucker by choice.” And “be kind to strangers; a stranger is a friend you haven't met yet.”

— Mike Kobak,
Park Rapids, Minn.

Trucking needs a few lessons on ethics, driver says

I’ve read a few articles in The Trucker. One article caught my