Letters to the Editor: Hours of Service, Border Debate, I-80 Tolls, Diesel Prices

These letters appear in the Oct. 29 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.

Hours of Service

I have always found it amazing in my 20 years in this industry that the federal and state governments try to pigeonhole every driver into the same rules.

Each driver is as different in his driving habits as people are in their everyday lives. But, if we must have a set of uniform rules to govern those who are irresponsible in their operating habits, at least try for something that fits the different types of general operators.

You have:

• The single driver who goes home every evening.

• The single driver who operates on a nationwide basis and is gone for weeks at a time.

• The single driver who lays over at his destination and returns the next day.

• And then you have what is known as sleeper team drivers who operate 24 hours a day and usually return to their domiciled facility by the end of the week.

I believe that most of the single drivers can be serviced by the present rules without too much discomfort or risking safety. But the sleeper teams become very dangerous if they’re forced into a certain driving schedule.

The only change I see needing to be required is to let the team members decide when they are too fatigued to drive and their partner should take over. This is a needed exception to the rules in this industry if we really are concerned about safety — and not about the amount of revenue a state or country can bring in every year.

Kerry Barrett
Over-the-Road Driver
UPS Freight
Olivehurst, Calif.

Border Debate

After reading about the court’s decision to strike down a stay on Mexican carriers coming into the United States, I was rather amused by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s take on this: “American truck drivers are anxious to compete to go to Mexico.”

As of right now, freight going to South Texas pays rather well and freight coming out of South Texas not so well. The only winners here are shippers, who now can have a cheap rate going down and coming back.

It just really amazes me how President Bush was told on two different occasions not to let this happen, and he has been so intent on what he wants that
it’s to heck with the American people.

This will have negative effects on the people who move the freight — American truckers. And I am sure the trucking companies will be affected as well, but not to as great an extent. I have one question for these companies: When you move all our good jobs south and overseas, who will buy your stuff?

The corporations of this great country have set a wheel in motion they may not be able to stop. Remember — what comes around goes around.

Richard Glenn
Over-the-Road Driver
Roadway Express
Buffalo, Mo.

Just an observation: From what I recently read, since inception, there are only five Mexican carriers — with a total of 15 units registered — and only three American carriers — with 30 units registered — for the cross-border program. If these government numbers are correct, it looks like the program will die from lack of interest.

I really do not see these numbers as a threat to any trucking company, American or Mexican.

Tom Seiter
Retired
Houston

I-80 Toll Road

This letter is regarding the story “Pennsylvania DOT Signs Lease of Interstate 80; Pending U.S. Approval, Tolls Could Begin in ’10” (10-22, p. 8).

This should not be happening. This road is paid for by road taxes and full taxes. The motoring public and the transportation industry already pay through the nose to use the Interstate Highway System.

Jenny Stevenson
Driver
YRC Worldwide
Chicago

Diesel Prices

I am sorry, but for the life of me I can’t understand this fuel price deal — and diesel at that. Drivers need help. The price of fuel is killing this economy, and it seems like people are looking the other way.

Why?

I always thought that regular gasoline cost more than diesel but not so today. Now that all the fuel prices — diesel and gas — are so high, we think $3.035 is low, or better yet, that the price is coming down.

We need help in the transportation industry and soon.

Rick Adams
Driver Recruiter
Volume Transportation Services
Lithonia, Ga.