Letters: Outlaw EOBRs, Truck Phone Bans

These Letters to the Editor appear in the Dec. 5 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.

Outlaw EOBRs

Of course, concerns persist about electronic onboard recorders (“FMCSA Drops Its 2012 Electronic Log Rule Aimed at Carriers With Major HOS Offenses,” 11-21, p. 3). EOBRs are unconstitutional and should be outlawed.

Any real American is very concerned about government/corporate electronic surveillance. This sort of thing is now before the Supreme Court, and the decision in that case will have huge consequences.

If people are going to be monitored without a warrant, you can kiss the good old United States of America goodbye. The terrorists will have done far more damage than knocking down a few buildings. You can bet that cars will be next, and from there, the sky is the limit.

Peter Black

Milwaukee

Truck Phone Ban

This is in reference to the story headlined “DOT Sets Final Rule Banning Truck Drivers’ Use of Hand-Held Phones,” on TTNews.com, 11-28.

A phone ban for trucks, but not cars? If it’s not safe to drive while holding a phone, it’s not safe no matter what you drive.

This is yet another good rule that’s applied only to trucks. Humans driving cars, planes, boats, heavy equipment or whatever can call, but truck drivers can’t.

The truck haters need to get a grip on reality: If it’s not safe to drive a truck while holding a phone, it’s not safe no matter what you drive, including cars.

Why the double standard again and again and yet again?

Texting is a no-brainer — car, truck or whatever.

Paint all the glass on a car or truck until it’s all blacked out except for a patch the size of a phone. Then drive at 60 mph to 70 mph. That’s crazy, right? Well, that’s what happens when you focus on a cellphone screen and drive.

It’s like Russian roulette at 70 mph.

However, why in God’s name do these rules apply only to truckers? There are 10 cars for every truck, all seemingly calling and texting around us on the highway.

Here’s a last thought: Everything you own or will ever own was at some point moved by a truck. It’s too bad we can’t stop every truck, everywhere until common-sense rules are applied. There would be no more food, no more clothes, no more anything. The shelves would be empty. I wish.

Yes, you guessed it — I’m a truck driver. And you’re welcome.

Larry Shryock

Owner-Operator

Weatherford, Texas