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Welcome
We welcome all professional Lorry Drivers and Owner Operators to our Truckstop CommunityIt does not matter if you are driving the Uk, Europe or local Truck deliveries, TrustopUK is your Home Online. Truckstopuk's Forum provides a place where Truck Drivers can come in for information or discuss Trucking News, Truck Photos, Trucker Classifieds, Trucker Jokes, Trucking related questions or have a Trucker Live Chat with other Truck Driver Members. We would be honored to welcome you as a Member in our professional Trucker Forum. Enjoy and have fun in TruckstopUK |
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Cannabis worth £300,000 found on lorry in Portsmouth
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A man has been arrested after cannabis resin
with a street value of £300,000 was found on a lorry on board a ferry at
a Hampshire port.
Customs officers seized 100kg of the illegal cargo found in
six white boxes hidden in a mixed load of goods as the lorry arrived in
Portsmouth on Monday.
The 49-year-old British driver was arrested and questioned. He has since been bailed pending further inquiries.
The cargo was bound for destinations in Altrincham, Castleford and Norfolk.
A UK Border Agency (UKBA) spokesman said: "The cannabis is
currently being tested to determine its street value, but it is believed
to be worth approximately £300,000." Source: BBC NEWS
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The People Who Police The Worst Of The Shipping Industry
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Border Agency Staff Always See the Dark Side
UK – Whilst most involved in the freight industry beaver away in
various specialised roles, from fork truck driver to stevedore and Bill
of Lading clerk, there is whole army of Government employees concerned
with policing every facet of the industry. For most of us there is a
blurred line separating HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Border Agency but this is to be expected as the two roles apparently overlap, in fact this is not the case.
These
days the guy who rummages through your truck for contraband is not a
Customs Officer, all border points are manned by Border Agency staff,
whilst Customs have reverted to an internal role, far more concerned
with import licensing and revenue collection.
The UK Border
Agency is viewed by many as a necessary evil, but they perform a
thankless task with woefully inadequate resources, yet still manage to
achieve a consistent set of results in all their fields of operation.
Just as a beat bobby may have to deal with problems ranging from a lost
child to an armed robbery so a glimpse at just this weeks headlines
clearly illustrates the complexity and scope of the problems faced by
the Agency.
Yesterday £300,000 worth of cannabis was seized at
Portsmouth from an incoming lorry, a German national had £45,000 worth
of Euros confiscated when it was found stuffed in his trousers at Saint
Pancras station, today saw five people arrested in a sting operation at
what appears to be a sham marriage ceremony to gain British citizenship,
last week sniffer dogs found a bunch of Eritreans in a lorry in Calais
(Border Agency staff operate there in cooperation with the French
authorities) another common occurence..
Outside the freight
industry the agency has, as usual, made dozens of arrests this month,
mostly people working illegally, many in ethnic restaurants, all over
the country and in Northern Ireland. Employers have to be tracked down
and prosecuted if they have not completed the relevant check. Just last
week the Agency deported a man who previously had jumped into the sea at
Torquay to avoid capture and had been apprehended by a ferry
commandeered by the authorities.
Anyone who feels they fancy the
change to a role at the sharp end of shipping however is likely to be
disappointed. In line with Government cut backs no vacancies will be
advertised until further notice.
Source: Handy Shipping Guide
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Multi-modal hubs battle Nimbyism
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It might have happened without fanfare, but
earlier this month, the government scrapped plans for a multi-modal
logistics hub in the South-East that would have created 3,500 logistics
and haulage jobs. The Kent International Gateway (KIG), a 16-acre
rail and road freight terminal and 3.9 million ft2 of warehousing, was
proposed for development on a 277-acre plot of land, east of Maidstone
and slap-bang next to J8 of the M20 (see right). The initial
planning process began in March 2007, when Kent International Gateway
Ltd (a partnership between property developers Axa Real Estate Investment Managers and DMI Properties) submitted the plans to Maidstone Borough Council. But
local residents in the nearby village of Bearsted were not pleased with
the proposals. They mounted a campaign backed by the local media, which
can be seen at www.stopkig.org,
to protect land designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
But their main complaint was that the rail freight terminal, while
promising to take freight off the roads nationally, would lead to
increased HGV movements in the area due to the need for last-mile
deliveries. The campaign was successful, and last year Maidstone
Borough Council turned down the plans. The rejection was appealed and
it went to a public inquiry, but on 5 August, Communities Secretary Eric
Pickles made the final decision, dismissing the appeal and refusing
planning permission. James Owen, senior fund manager at
Axa Real Estate, who is the asset manager for clients investing in KIG,
said they were disappointed by the Secretary of State's decision. "The
proposal fulfilled all the policy criteria for increasing rail freight
and reducing HGV miles in the UK, thereby having a positive impact on
the country's carbon emissions," he tells CM. "KIG would have
provided around 3,500 new permanent jobs in the private sector, on top
of those created during the construction phases, at a time when
government austerity measures mean that job creation initiatives such as
this should be highly prized. We will review our options, but fear this
may be a lost opportunity by the government to create something
positive for the county on a site ideally suited for the purpose." There is a rival site to the KIG. Barely 40 miles up the M20, and just off J2a of the M26 is a proposed site for the Kent Rail and Freight Terminal
(KRAFT). The developers behind the site, Cemex UK, Borough Green
Sandpits and the adjoining landowners, promise 2.7 million ft2 of
warehousing space next to an intermodal rail/road transfer. It would,
the developers claim, create 2,000 jobs. A spokesman for KRAFT
was cautiously optimistic about the chances for the site: "At the moment
we are watching very carefully what has happened with the KIG decision
because, arguably, there was not the space or demand for two sites of
this size. "It was clear that there were weaknesses in the KIG
application, but we remain optimistic. We are not even at the planning
application stage and we are awaiting meetings with the landowners to
see how we progress." Inevitably, there is also a protest group campaigning against the site's development (www.stopbig.org).
They too argue that the KRAFT would not deliver any appreciable
reduction in the number of lorries on the M20 and, they say, if anything
the depot will generate much more traffic. The Freight Transport
Association (FTA), says that the UK, as well as logistics operators of
all modes, needs more of these sites "if we are to get as much freight
off the roads as possible" . The association is urging for support for
the development of more terminal capacity in "locations driven by the
market that make best logistical sense" . It also wants to see rail
freight terminals included by the government in National Policy
Statements. Christopher Snelling, head of global supply
chain policy at the FTA, says: "Sometimes people think there is a lot of
antipathy between road and rail, but hauliers can make use of rail
freight at these sites. If you can get some goods off the motorway, it
will free up the roads for goods that always need transporting by road." He argues that the development of these strategically important sites (and the FTA believes that seven are needed
across the country to support the desire for increased freight capacity
on the rails) should now fall into the hands of the government at a
national level. But that means ministers and MPs focusing on the
movement of freight and making the development of such hubs an important
part of national planning statements. "There have been warm
words from the government about migration to rail freight, but there has
not been a determination to follow them through. "But if the
government really wants to get more HGVs off the road, saving on
congestion and emissions, you have got to have the right infrastructure
in place. But typically the right places are near major conurbations and
people are always going to object if you build on green belt land." It
seems if locals are to continue campaigning against multi-modal hub
developments, there will inevitably be one byproduct: the amount of
freight on the roads will not fall by a single pallet. And it's not just Kent... The Kent saga is not the only one that has hit the headlines when it comes to developing multi-modal hubs. Throughout
2009, a site near St Albans, Hertfordshire, has been stuck in planning
limbo due to concerns over links to nearby motorways. Developers Helioslough
have proposed a 300-acre development that includes 3,000 lorry
movements a day, 12 freight trains and 3.5 million ft2 of warehousing. In stark similarity to the two Kent sites, local residents against the proposal set up STRIFE (Stop the Rail Freight Exchange) to campaign against the development. Again
the local council refused the application and it went to appeal with
the Secretary of State, who refused the plans but encouraged them to be
submitted for a different location. The developers lodged an appeal to the High Court, where it currently resides. Source: Road Transport
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ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT IN YOGHURT LORRY
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ILLEGAL immigrants were caught trying to sneak into Britain – in a lorryload of yoghurt.
Eight men from Vietnam, Iran and Afghanistan climbed into the refrigerated truck in France. Guards from the UK Border Agency working at the port of Calais spotted the lorry’s rear doors were not secured. When
they searched the German-registered truck, bound for Milton Keynes,
Bucks, they found the men hiding among the yoghurt pots. The truck’s owners face a £16,000 fine unless they can prove they took steps to secure the vehicle. Carole
Upshall, the UK Border Agency’s director for operations in northern
France, said: “This is why we base so many of our staff in France – to
stop illegal immigrants before they can reach the UK.” The agency estimates that more than 29,000 attempts by illegal immigrants to cross the Channel were thwarted in 2009. Source: Express
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Lorries on fire in Yeovil
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FIREFIGHTERS were called to reports of a lorry on fire at Lufton Way
in Yeovil last night – only to find that three vehicles were ablaze.
The alarm was raised at just before 10pm and two fire engines from Yeovil were sent to the incident.
A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “On
arrival the crews confirmed that this was in fact three lorries alight
and requested the attendance of a water carrier along
with a third fire engine which was sent from Martock.”
Crews confirmed that there were a total of six vehicles involved.
Keep watching this website for any further updates on this story.
Source:Yeovil Express
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Porsche and lorry crash in Aberdeen
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Woman cut free from vehicle after accident on North Anderson Drive
DRIVERS were stuck in huge tailbacks after an Aberdeen crash involving a Porsche and a lorry.
The woman driver of the Porsche Carrera was stuck under
the lorry for almost an hour after the accident on North Anderson
Drive.
The front of the car was wedged beneath the heavy
goods vehicle on the southbound carriageway, just beyond the Haudagain
roundabout. Source: Evening Express
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Here's an new angle on a continual problem, that of other road users
failing to yield to emergency vehicles. Most of the time this question
is asked about cars and trucks, but this fire department official asks
the question about a different subset of traffic, cyclists:
Our trucks were recently responding code three to a call when we came
upon a group of approximately fifteen cyclists. Traffic was very heavy
due to the holiday weekend and, despite lights flashing and sirens
wailing, the cyclists did not stop. Consequently, motorists were
prevented from pulling over as the cyclists were in the way. Must
cyclists abide by the same road rules as motorists when it comes to
being approached by emergency vehicles?
A person operating a cycle on the highway has the same rights and duties
as the driver of a motor vehicle. This means that when approached by an
emergency vehicle displaying a flashing red light and sounding a siren,
they must move to the nearest edge of the roadway clear of an
intersection, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed by.
Despite the fact that a cyclist is not licensed, they may still be
issued a traffic ticket for violations of the rules. The fines are the
same as those applied to a motor vehicle driver but cyclists are not
assessed penalty points by ICBC.
Reference Links
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S&J European Haulage make additions to its fleet
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S&J European Haulage has added new double deck, S.KO Express dry freight box trailers from Schmitz Cargobull to its fleet.
The trailers are being used to transport adhesives between the UK and
Belgium and the double-deck design allows over 60 pallets to be stored
comfortably and enables certain fragile loads that are unsuitable for
block stacking within a trailer to be carried two high.
The tri-axle trailers have been specified with front and rear lifting
axles which remain raised if the trailer is running below fully laden.
Ordinarily, the trailers run on the single axle but built-in sensors
prompt the front and/or rear axles to drop down as more weight is added.
This feature ensures that the load is evenly distributed over the
optimum number of axles and the equipment is compliant for both UK and
European regulations when the trailers are on the road.
However, because the front and rear-lifting axles remain raised
unless the weight of the load demands they are lowered, rolling
resistance is dramatically reduced when lighter loads are in transit. As
a result S&J European have noticed that they are making
considerable fuel savings with the new trailers.
“Because we have seldom had to have all three axles down, rolling
resistance has been minimised and we are achieving fuel efficiency of
around 2 miles per gallon,” explains S&J’s transport manager, Mark Turner.
“This may not sound hugely significant but in monetary terms it means cost efficiencies of £65 per trip per vehicle. The trailers are working seven days a week so that’s a noteworthy saving,” he adds. Source: fleetdirectory
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‘Illegal immigrant’ on the run after A1 lorry leap
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A SUSPECTED illegal immigrant may be on the run today after jumping from the back of a lorry near the A1.
Police launched a major search after receiving a tip-off from a member of the public yesterday afternoon.
The witness reported spotting seven men leaping from a lorry at the gate of a factory near Washington Services and fleeing.
Officers arrested six suspects and continued the search in a bid to round up the seventh man.
The incident happened on the Crowther Industrial Estate around
3.30pm. Police say the six were arrested on suspicion of immigration
offences.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said today: “They remain in custody and will be interviewed by the Immigration Service.
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish whether a seventh person is still out there.”
Police are not disclosing further details about the incident.
Immigration officers will today quiz those arrested to build up a picture of events leading to their fleeing from the truck.
They will be trying to establish where they smuggled themselves on board the vehicle.
It is understood the truck was seized for examination for evidence.
Immigrants are continuing to get into the UK hidden in lorries, despite major efforts by the authorities.
And drivers are struggling to prevent stowaways.
The Serious Organised Crime Agency has produced a leaflet for lorry
drivers in a bid to prevent freight crime and illegal immigrants.
It is aimed at drivers transporting freight to and from the UK and
makes them aware of the threats they face from illegal immigrants while
traveling in the UK.
In June a gang of four African stowaways plotting a new life in
Britain were discovered hiding among machine parts destined for a North
East factory.
Officers with the UK Border Agency foiled the attempt by the four to
sneak into the region. The Eritreans were caught hiding in the haul of
machine parts heading to County Durham.
It wasn’t known when the four boarded the lorry but they were caught by border agency officers when it rolled into Calais.
After spotting the lorry’s trailer had been tampered with, officers stopped and inspected the Italian-registered vehicle.
A body detection dog
was let loose on the trailer and indicated there were people hiding
inside the load destined for the North West Industrial Estate in
Peterlee, County Durham.
Source: Chronicle Live
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Armed Gang Steal Five Lorry Loads of Vodka
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Guard Assaulted and Threatened with Knives
WARRINGTON/ UK – Cheshire Police are asking that
members of the public and freight community keep a watch out for five
trailers that have been used to steal a large quantity of vodka from a
warehouse in Warrington.
The robbery took place
in the early hours of Saturday morning with the knife- armed criminals
attacking the night watchman at the premises on an industrial estate in
Clayton Road, Birchwood, Warrington, before apparently making off with
trailers from the site. The security guard was taken to hospital but not
seriously injured.
Due to the very large amounts
of vodka stolen, which includes the brands for Waitrose, Sainsbury's,
Tesco, Co-operative, Royal Czar, Imperial and Moskova Vodka - all in 1.5
or 1 litre bottles – the police hope that they may gain a lead from
anyone spotting the stolen trailers.
All five are curtainsiders missing from the scene and descriptions can be found here.
Anyone
with information on this can contact Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000
or alternatively information can be left on the Crimestoppers line on
0800 555 111.
Source: Handy Shipping Guide
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ProNav Outmanoeuvres all to Bring a New Dimension to HGV Navigation
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LONDON, August 25, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Hauliers, fleet management, and independent drivers of large
vehicles can now experience true cost-saving advantages by using the new
ProNav PNN300, incorporating the new ProNav Dimension(TM) software. The first
HGV navigation system to incorporate London 'Lorry Ban' road data, the PNN300
will help operators keep to permitted roads, and with UK wide historic HGV
traffic data, will provide more accurate journey times and estimated times of
arrival, ensuring drivers don't miss delivery windows or over-run on their
driver hours.
Currently getting caught on an excluded road at restricted
times in London can be an expensive business, with fines of up to GBP550 for
hauliers and GBP120 for drivers. The ProNav PNN300 is the first navigation
system to incorporate time-based restriction data, providing vehicle specific
routes avoiding the overnight or weekend HGV restrictions, also offering
preferred routing and re-routing for the 'Lorry Ban' roads (Excluded Route
Network - ERN). Such critical route data will help keep HGV's on the
permitted roads when travelling around London, making sure hauliers and
drivers avoid those heavy penalties for route contraventions.
The ProNav PNN300 also incorporates another truck navigation
'market first' which is its 'Dynamic ETA(TM)' feature. Historically truck
navigation systems have provided relatively inaccurate, unreliable journey
times for delivery estimated times of arrival (ETAs). Using historic traffic
information sourced from real-time floating vehicle data, the PNN300 can
analyse the day and time of travel and calculate an accurate ETA based on
actual HGV traffic speeds at that time. For example, a journey on the M25
during Monday morning's rush hour will provide a much longer ETA than exactly
the same journey conducted during lunchtime. For the first time, this service
will provide drivers with reliable, mission critical journey time information
to hit delivery windows and plan journeys to fit better around their time on
the road.
Unique ProNav PNN300 features include:
- Dynamic ETA(TM) using real-time floating vehicle data from Journey Dynamics(TM) helping provide better fuel efficiency and improved time and journey management
- ERN data for haulage companies and professional drivers to circumnavigate route restrictions such as the London Lorry Control Scheme during controlled hours
- Navevo's new ProNav Dimension(TM) software for fast calculation of routes incorporating NAVTEQ Transport data covering height, weight, width and HAZMAT restrictions to optimise your routes across the UK
- Exclusive point of interest data such as London loading bays, as well as HGV petrol stations and truck stops
Other ProNav Dimension(TM) software features include hazard
warnings for steep hills, crosswinds, risk of grounding and sharp bends; text
to speech that provides clear voice instructions including local road names;
and audible and visual warnings of fixed safety cameras. The PNN300 also
features a new slim-line hardware design, with a large 5 inch touch screen,
Bluetooth hands-free and an FM transmitter making turn-by-turn voice
instructions clearly audible on the vehicle's in-cab radio.
"Working closely with hauliers and drivers, we have identified and
developed unique features that really make a difference to fleets whilst out
on the road", said Navevo Marketing Director David Guiver. "With innovative
features such as Dynamic ETA(TM) and ERN routing we believe we are setting a
new standard for the HGV navigation industry and helping make deliveries more
time and cost efficient, as well as helping the haulage industry avoid costly
fines from falling foul of time-specific road regulations."
With a suggested retail price of GBP249.99 incl. VAT, the
ProNav PNN300 will be available around the end of August via the Road Haulage
Association's online shop, PIE (Public Information Exchange), Fonebitz stores
located at over 32 motorway service stations across the country, and through
local TTC distributors in UK and Ireland (for more information on local TTC
distributors call (01865-383999).
Additionally, Navevo have updated the current PNN200 unit with
the new ProNav Dimension(TM) software. This new PNN220 unit will also be on
sale at the end of August have a suggested retail price of GBP199.99 incl.
VAT.
Press
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DriveSmart- What's Behind Me?
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What's behind me and why should I care? I'm driving down the highway and
I'm certainly not going to back into something! There are at least two
common hazards that occur regularly behind every driver and looking out
for them is just good sense.
The first hazard is the impatient driver that follows you too closely.
Identify this hazard and you can avoid it by either slowing down or even
pulling over and stopping. If you choose to slow down, you increase
your own following distance and allow even more time to react if
something happens. In a sense, you are thinking ahead for the dummy
behind.
The second hazard is the vehicle that is rapidly overtaking you.
Anticipating a foolish passing move, postponing a left turn even though
your signal light is flashing or deciding that this is not the time to
stop suddenly could be very important to you!
For these reasons and more, it is wise to know what is around you when
you drive. Scanning your mirrors briefly every 5 to 10 seconds will help
you keep that big picture fresh and give you the time you need to
decide how to avoid trouble. You must know what is behind you and you
should care!
Reference Links
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Thieves run riot in Northamptonshire
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Northamptonshire Police is warning hauliers that there has been a spate of thefts from HGVs since the beginning of the month.
A number of lorries have targeted at the Welford Truckstop, A14/A5199, where clothing and household products have been stolen.
Two lorries were targeted on the A14 Westbound in the area of Rothwell and a quantity of paint was stolen.
Police say the thieves gained access to the vehicles by cutting rear
locking mechanisms on the trailers and by slashing curtains. Source: HGVUK
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Driver of sewage tanker in Suffolk train crash in court
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Arvydas Bartasius was remanded on conditional bail charged over the crash
The 38-year-old driver of a
tanker involved in a collision with a train in Suffolk has appeared in
court charged with endangering safety on the railway.
Arvydas Bartasius, of Hawthorn Close, Ely, Cambridgeshire, appeared before Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court.
The incident happened at an unmanned level crossing near
Sudbury when the first of the train's two carriages was derailed,
injuring 22 people.
Mr Bartasius was remanded on conditional bail until 1 October.
The 1731 BST National Express East Anglia service was thought
to be travelling between 50mph and 60mph as it made its way from
Sudbury in Suffolk to Marks Tey in Essex when it was in collision with
the tanker.
A 58-year-old passenger remains in a "serious but stable" condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
Twenty-one other people were injured.
The lorry was removed from the line shortly after midnight on
Wednesday and railway services on the line resumed on Friday morning. Source: BBC NEWS
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Increasingly, more and more drivers are exhibiting unsafe behavior. I am
not sure what it is causing it, perhaps lack of training, poor judgment, or a ‘I
don’t just give a dern’ attitude. The other day coming home in my car up I 35, a
trucker passed me and came back in so close I couldn’t see the ICC bar on the
trailer. I would bet money that if a car cut that driver off so closely, the cab
and cb would of crackled with them cussing the car.
Two days before I was sitting in the truck at a shippers who was kind
enough to allow me to take my break there. Pouring down rain and one company’s
drivers were coming in and out of the warehouse lot doing at least 35 mph down
the drive and then making a sharp turn into the dock apron area without slowing
down. I kept waiting for one of them to just slide right into me! Guess they had
never heard of hydroplaning.
We hear repeatedly about what drivers of cars do while driving such as
reading, working on the laptop or watching DVD’s among many other things. Have
you paid attention to what the driver in the truck you are passing is doing? I
am not nosey, but always glance quickly over and give a wave to a passing
brother or sister driver, some things you cannot help but notice. Watching TV’s
that are set up in the nook above the driver’s seat, watching DVD’s and playing
games on laptops, reading a paperback book and fixing a sandwich are some of the
things I have seen. Some things would boggle your mind! I saw a male driver
standing between the seats holding the steering wheel with one hand presumably
he had the cruise on, taking care of a bodily function…at 60 mph!
Safety begins at home or in this case, in the truck. Being considered
professionals, if we exhibit unsafe behavior like following too closely or
cutting off another driver, it would follow that younger drivers of both cars
and trucks specially would take that as being the thing to do. One must remember
that unlike when I was in school, very few schools offer driver’s ed anymore and
let‘s face it, truck driver training leaves a lot to be desired, so many times
it is a case of ’monkey see, monkey do’.
Becoming a safer truck driver just takes observing what others do to tick
you off and make you feel unsafe…then not doing that yourself. Sounds simple
doesn’t it, it is. Following too close to other vehicles, speeding through
construction zones, truck stops and warehouses, cutting people off are all seen
daily and tick drivers off. Why in the world would those very same drivers do
the same things themselves to others?
Drivers, back off from that vehicle in front of you. Pushing them down the
highway isn’t going to get them out of your way any sooner, and may either make
them mad enough that they hang you there for miles, or scare them enough they
goof up and cause you to wreck. Slow down that truck in truck stops,
construction zones and warehouse areas. The few seconds you save will be lost
plus hours worth of time while you do the paperwork on an accident, kill someone
walking along, or while that nice police officer writes you a ticket and DOT’s
your truck.
Finally, save the watching of TV, DVD’s and playing games for when you are
stopped, same goes for reading a paperback book…get books on tape. Stop for five
minutes and make that sandwich after you take care of your bodily
functions…don’t try to cook and drive. If you don’t have that five minutes, then
perhaps you should of left sooner.
You cannot get angry at other people’s unsafe behavior if you exhibit
unsafe behavior yourself. Lead by example and be a safe professional so the
drivers who see how you drive can imitate you and become safe drivers
themselves. Forrest Gump would say, “Safety is as Safety does”…don’t be as his
famous saying goes, “Stupid is as Stupid does”, be a safer, smarter
driver.
by Sandy Long Street
Smarts: A Guide to a Truck Driver's Personal Safety
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There isn't a Biggest Story for Today, yet.
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