Dashboard Confidential – August/September 2021

I have always wondered why trucking (and truckers) get such a major dose of misunderstanding from the public. When I was a kid, truckers were considered the “knights of the road” and there was more of a positive public perception compared to today. What changed? It has changed, no question, but why and how?

Granted, more trucks on the road, more freight being moved, more drivers at the wheel, and certainly more car traffic plays a big part, but it is more than that. I hear it at parties or talking with nontrucking folks that I know.

For the most part, truckers are professional family people who care a great deal about our profession, who take a lot of pride in being safe, practicing solid driving skills, getting the products to market, and trying to provide for their families. All it takes are a few bad apples to make the highways a dangerous place to be. I see it every day and, unfortunately, so does the motoring public.

In my opinion, the electronic logbook is a major culprit.

Too many drivers feel the need to max out their speed, push their way through traffic all because they are afraid of the little black box.

It is equally as dangerous in truck stop parking lots, as the same drivers feel they must tear through the lot to get back in traffic to save a few minutes. There have been too many instances of drivers being struck and injured and even killed because the other driver is in too big of a hurry, racing the clock, not being aware of their surroundings. We never had that problem to the degree it is today before the ELD mandate.

The motoring public sees that too, and it strengthens the misunderstanding as well as contempt of the real trucking industry professionals. A good example: I attended an event in downtown Los Angeles with friends. On the way back down I-5 going to Anaheim, it was nearly midnight. Truck traffic was heavy but steady and, being California, trucks were saddled with driving the two right lanes. The two left lanes are a no-no, and you really do not want that ticket.

As we eased on past a long line of rolling big trucks, my friend Lil piped up.

“Where are all these damn trucks going? Shouldn’t they be home sleeping?”

I felt my blood start to boil but kept quiet at least for a minute. The other passengers traded barbs about too many trucks on the road until I could take it no longer.

I politely told them that everything they were wearing, everything they own, eat, drink, drive, were all brought by truck. That truck has fresh produce from Salinas for the distribution warehouse that goes, by truck to your supermarket. That truck has beef from Omaha, Neb., or Colorado. That truck has shoes for the warehouse to go, by truck, to your department store. Cheese from Wisconsin, potatoes from Idaho. It all comes by truck.

I also told them that for many of those drivers, that truck is their home while they are doing their job away from their families.

They eat, sleep and have space (although limited) for a fridge, microwave and an office desk. In the past 18 months of dealing with the pandemic, closed restaurants, rest areas and facilities, all those drivers have sacrificed a lot to bring you your goods.

My friends had no clue.

I also pointed out that there are no train tracks behind the supermarket. All those drivers in those trucks are doing a job to keep you supplied with everything that you need to live and none of you has the slightest idea how it gets there and no appreciation for the men and women who pilot the big rigs. Dead silence.

When the pause was over and my passengers started talking about it, it suddenly became clear that all these truckers were not just riding around, being in the way.

Keep in mind that California is a 55 mph state and, again, my passengers had no clue until I pointed out that the highway patrol comes down hard on speeding trucks, while cars whiz by at 70-plus. Depending on the county, fines can start at $500. Seventy in a 55 can also get you a serious reckless driving citation and a loss of your CDL, but 150 miles east, cross into Arizona or Nevada and the speed limit is 75 for trucks. My passengers, again, had no clue.

So, along with the ride, my friends got an enlightenment. Did it matter? Maybe. Did they come away with a different view of truckers and the job that we do? Probably, but how long will that last? I have always tried to be a good ambassador for the industry and made my point in a professional manner. I just wish I could get the same message out to about 80 million more, perhaps we would all be better off.

Happy trails. LL