Letters to the Editor

Alabama needs more name-brand truck stops. I’m an Alabama native who is an over-the-road truck driver living in Northern Virginia. I get a chance on a regular basis to compare trucking facilities and the economic effect they have on communities from state to state.

The Aug. 6 issue of Transport Topics had an article headlined “Heat Wave Causing More Tire Failures, Adds Strain on Drivers, Fleet Execs Say” (p. 6). If there ever was a reason to maintain proper air pressure in tires, whether they are retreads or virgin tires — because there is no difference — it is hot weather.

Let me understand you correctly: If a driver runs out of time 30 minutes from the yard and is on an electronic onboard recorder, “He either spends the night 20 miles from home or, more likely, breaks the law and comes to the yard anyway.”

As I’m sitting here waiting 14 hours to start out on my 150-mile journey, I’m pondering your thoughts on driver turnover.

I feel like I’m the only truck operator who believes the feds are trying to control every facet of my life. It’s not just that electronic onboard recorders or EOBRs or whatever you call them are an intrusive invasion into my company and our drivers’ lives.

The debate does go on, and getting everyone in the industry to agree on weight regulations will be as easy as getting the highway bill passed and signed.

This is in reference to the article headlined “High Turnover Means Trucking Companies Need New Strategies to Recruit, Retain Drivers” that appeared on page A3 of the Transport Topics Top 100 For-Hire Carriers supplement bound into your July 16 issue.

I am writing you in response to the letter titled “High CSA Scores” and printed in your June 11 issue (p. 6).

One of the letters to the editor of your publication written by a safety manager recently did an excellent job of making our point about “harassment” and electronic onboard recorders, or EOBRs.

I am writing today regarding the June 18 Opinion titled “Higher Bonds Still Not the Answer” by Daniel Larson, president and chief operating officer, Pacific Financial Association Inc.