As a trucker supporter ( my dad was in the business) I applaud your pointing out the current dangers that lurk on our highways and honest drivers will admit it. Poor training and the sheer volume of trucks create hazards for those of us in small tin-can-like cars. Our highways are busier than ever and I decided two years ago to just not drive on them. My father always told us they were the best guys on the road....that was in the 60s and 70s -- but I'm not so sure now. He also said to follow their taillights should I get lost in a fog. But recently a driver I know well said that is folly. Thanks for your work.
"Maybe a huge dose of accountability would be the best medicine for our ailing society as well as our floundering industry."
I've said many times over the past 4 years that there's no accountability or oversight anymore. People in all sectors know it and are acting like there will never be consequences.
100K per year or one ain't trying? Meh...maybe. Depends on what a driver values and what one loves. (I never "LOVED" trucking, but I'm very good at it.) I knew when I got into this business that I didn't want to live in a truck. I had three small children and a mortgage, and I was going to sleep in my own bed in my own home every night and actually BE there to help raise my children with my wife. Yes, I sacrificed higher wages for "being there," but that's the choice I made. The kids turned out great BTW...all Uni grads and productive members of society.
And as far as today's infrastructure...roads, truck-stops, etc., being super duper...I beg to differ. I live and drive the Midwest. Most roads look and feel like they've received a B-52 Arc Light raid. Most truck stops are overcrowded with "illiterate peasants" who triple park and dump their piss bottles and shit bags everywhere. It's complete anarchy. Rest areas are the same. Not enough of them, and the ones that ARE open are just like the truck stops...filthy, disgusting, depressing nightmares.
Drivers is Saskatchewan, I think it was proven that truckers are not trained properly in that Province, therefore the Government is responsible for any accidents?????????? Anyone and his dog
I have zero experience in the trucking industry. Regarding the article and responses, particularly around accountability, who’s to enforce the accountability of the large corporations? They are not going to enforce accountability of themselves, despite the consequences to public if it affects their bottom line. They view themselves as accountable to no one other than their shareholders. Most have zero interest in the welfare of their employees nor believe in social contracts for safety as regards the general public. Well treated, well paid drivers in my view are responsible individuals and possess regard for public safety. In my view accountability is needed since corporations won’t be. The problem is, who’s to enforce the accountability other than ‘efforts’ by the government who is mercilessly lobbied by those very corporations. (This is not to say too many of our politicians are not corrupt.) “For the common good” no longer exists in this country. It’s all about profit and more profit at our expense. In my opinion big business is responsible for buying up the little man such that there is no competition and profits for corporations continue to rise as they gouge the public.
We are not at war with the government, although politicians want us to believe that. We are now in a class war, the rich oppressing the poor and convincing us it’s our neighbor and our Government screwing us, not them. They are perfectly happy keeping us fighting with one another to keep “us” from holding them accountable. Government is “we the people” despite it’s many faults. Big business is not now, nor will ever be about “we the people”. There has to be a balance between regulation and de-regulation for the good of society.
As a trucker supporter ( my dad was in the business) I applaud your pointing out the current dangers that lurk on our highways and honest drivers will admit it. Poor training and the sheer volume of trucks create hazards for those of us in small tin-can-like cars. Our highways are busier than ever and I decided two years ago to just not drive on them. My father always told us they were the best guys on the road....that was in the 60s and 70s -- but I'm not so sure now. He also said to follow their taillights should I get lost in a fog. But recently a driver I know well said that is folly. Thanks for your work.
Thanks for reading, Trish.
Your commentary and career are, like Paul’s, a subject of my great admiration and gratitude.
"Maybe a huge dose of accountability would be the best medicine for our ailing society as well as our floundering industry."
I've said many times over the past 4 years that there's no accountability or oversight anymore. People in all sectors know it and are acting like there will never be consequences.
100K per year or one ain't trying? Meh...maybe. Depends on what a driver values and what one loves. (I never "LOVED" trucking, but I'm very good at it.) I knew when I got into this business that I didn't want to live in a truck. I had three small children and a mortgage, and I was going to sleep in my own bed in my own home every night and actually BE there to help raise my children with my wife. Yes, I sacrificed higher wages for "being there," but that's the choice I made. The kids turned out great BTW...all Uni grads and productive members of society.
And as far as today's infrastructure...roads, truck-stops, etc., being super duper...I beg to differ. I live and drive the Midwest. Most roads look and feel like they've received a B-52 Arc Light raid. Most truck stops are overcrowded with "illiterate peasants" who triple park and dump their piss bottles and shit bags everywhere. It's complete anarchy. Rest areas are the same. Not enough of them, and the ones that ARE open are just like the truck stops...filthy, disgusting, depressing nightmares.
I could go on and on, but you get the drift...
Drivers is Saskatchewan, I think it was proven that truckers are not trained properly in that Province, therefore the Government is responsible for any accidents?????????? Anyone and his dog
can open a Driving School!!!!!!.
Respectfully, your friend’s coming across as a typical liberal boomer who can’t find his way out of a paper bag …
I have zero experience in the trucking industry. Regarding the article and responses, particularly around accountability, who’s to enforce the accountability of the large corporations? They are not going to enforce accountability of themselves, despite the consequences to public if it affects their bottom line. They view themselves as accountable to no one other than their shareholders. Most have zero interest in the welfare of their employees nor believe in social contracts for safety as regards the general public. Well treated, well paid drivers in my view are responsible individuals and possess regard for public safety. In my view accountability is needed since corporations won’t be. The problem is, who’s to enforce the accountability other than ‘efforts’ by the government who is mercilessly lobbied by those very corporations. (This is not to say too many of our politicians are not corrupt.) “For the common good” no longer exists in this country. It’s all about profit and more profit at our expense. In my opinion big business is responsible for buying up the little man such that there is no competition and profits for corporations continue to rise as they gouge the public.
We are not at war with the government, although politicians want us to believe that. We are now in a class war, the rich oppressing the poor and convincing us it’s our neighbor and our Government screwing us, not them. They are perfectly happy keeping us fighting with one another to keep “us” from holding them accountable. Government is “we the people” despite it’s many faults. Big business is not now, nor will ever be about “we the people”. There has to be a balance between regulation and de-regulation for the good of society.