Trucks Suck

In the last year, I’ve added a lot of 400 time to my driving and I’ve come to one universal observation:  trucks suck.

I’m talking about the big, massive, non-stop rigs that come steam-rolling down your neck when you’re trying to enjoy a nice drive between KW and London or Guelph and Toronto.

And at no time do they seem more out of control, more absurd with their behaviour than a day like today when everyone needs to ease up.

A lot.

Unfortunately, there’s no indication that these guys give a shit about the general public, especially during inclement weather.  They plow down and breathe down your back like a bull on acid.

Which makes me wonder:  how many accidents on our highways are directly or indirectly related to commercial rigs and the bad habits of their drivers?

I’ve also heard a rumour that truckers use Canada, particularly southern Ontario’s 400 network of highways, due to regulatory constraints.  The rumour is that they are allowed a maximum number of driving hours when driving in the United States.  However, if they enter Canada, they’re allowed to track that time ‘separately’.  In effect, they have two sets of books of drive time, ensuring that most of the drivers that are using our highways have been driving for too long.

And NONE of their efforts result in benefits to us.

It’s time.

We need a new set of rules for truckers in Canada.

I remember when I was in Germany a few years back and was struck by the treatment of commercial traffic there.

When weather turns sour, traffic rules change.

On immediate demand, based on LED and flashing lights stands along the side of the highway, announcements are made that ‘inclement weather’ rules are in effect.

This means:

• Trucks can only drive in the far right lane
• They must slow to half the posted rate, usually 50km / hour
• They must slow to allow merging traffic to get on the highway

It was brilliant and inspirational to see.

And we desperately need it here.

How many people have to die and how many cars have to get crushed by people who don’t care about our well-being?

When is it enough?

Today was the limit for me.