Hate those huge trucks on the highway? I don’t and here are two stories why.

I was on my way south from Tennessee early one morning, and suddenly I heard a clunk.

I pulled over, hoped my “Women under the hood” course in college would be of help, grabbed my flashlight and popped the hood. A semi pulled over in front of me, and the driver strolled back.

“Having trouble?” he asked. “Let���s take a look.”

�œUh-oh,” he said. “Here’s your fan belt on the road. Tell you what: The next exit is 10 or 15 miles ahead. You can drive there, but don’t go over 15 mph. I’ll stay right behind you.”

We crawled along with me wondering what I could do once off I-75. As the exit appeared, the truck driver tapped his horn, waved, and pointed to the police car at the ramp.

The officer stopped me. He said, “The trucker called ahead, and the Olds dealership is waiting for you. Just follow me.”

Aren’t people wonderful?

When I first came to Greensboro, I attended a church in Kernersville. One stormy Sunday I tossed my purse in the car, hopped in, and got home as fast as I could on I-40.

At home, I reached for the purse, but it wasn’t there. Back to Kernersville, but no purse. Home again, and I was at my desk making a list of those I must inform of the loss, when the phone rang.

“Dorothea Lamson?” the man asked. “I believe I have something that belongs to you.”

“I hope it’s a small black purse,” I said.

“Yes, it is,” he said. “But I don’t live in Greensboro. Would you be willing to meet me halfway? There’s a shopping area; you’ll see a McDonald’s.��� And he gave me directions to find it.

I called my daughter, and my son-in-law said he knew the place and would take me.

We pulled into the large parking lot and saw a pickup with a driver who watched us enter and came to us, carrying my purse.

He wouldn’t accept any money for his trouble and explained that he was a truck driver, and this had happened several times.

Two good Samaritans on wheels. Both interrupting their job to help someone.Hate those huge trucks on the highway? I don’t and here are two stories why.

I was on my way south from Tennessee early one morning, and suddenly I heard a clunk.

I pulled over, hoped my “Women under the hood” course in college would be of help, grabbed my flashlight and popped the hood. A semi pulled over in front of me, and the driver strolled back.

“Having trouble?” he asked. “Let’s take a look.”

“Uh-oh,” he said. “Here’s your fan belt on the road. Tell you what: The next exit is 10 or 15 miles ahead. You can drive there, but don’t go over 15 mph. I’ll stay right behind you.”

We crawled along with me wondering what I could do once off I-75. As the exit appeared, the truck driver tapped his horn, waved, and pointed to the police car at the ramp.

The officer stopped me. He said, “The trucker called ahead, and the Olds dealership is waiting for you. Just follow me.”

Aren�€™t people wonderful?

When I first came to Greensboro, I attended a church in Kernersville. One stormy Sunday I tossed my purse in the car, hopped in, and got home as fast as I could on I-40.

At home, I reached for the purse, but it wasn’t there. Back to Kernersville, but no purse. Home again, and I was at my desk making a list of those I must inform of the loss, when the phone rang.

“Dorothea Lamson?” the man asked. “I believe I have something that belongs to you.â€

“I hope it’s a small black purse,” I said.

“Yes, it is,” he said. “But I don’t live in Greensboro. Would you be willing to meet me halfway? There’s a shopping area; you’ll see a McDonald’s.” And he gave me directions to find it.

I called my daughter, and my son-in-law said he knew the place and would take me.

We pulled into the large parking lot and saw a pickup with a driver who watched us enter and came to us, carrying my purse.

He wouldn’t accept any money for his trouble and explained that he was a truck driver, and this had happened several times.

Two good Samaritans on wheels. Both interrupting their job to help someone.

From

© 2009, Truck Drivers News. All rights reserved.

ELGIN, Ill. – Suburban Chicago veterans have honored a garbage truck driver who’s credited with saving 250 American flags from being improperly thrown out within the last 18 months.

Elgin’s American Legion Post 57 and Elks Lodge 737 recognized Waste Management driver Jeff Olsen during a Flag Day ceremony Sunday.

Olsen is a 34-year-old native Canadian who says he plucks flags from the refuse in his truck whenever he sees them. Waste Management representatives say that has been a regular practice among their Elgin drivers for some time, but Olsen is the most successful.

Olsen is married to a former Army medic who did two tours of duty in Kuwait. He says that throwing flags away is like stomping on them.

Federal code says American flags should be discarded in a dignified way.

From

© 2009, Truck Drivers News. All rights reserved.

Trucks with faulty brakes and broken tail lights may want to think twice before rolling through Northern Virginia.

Virginia State Police and Prince William police officers have set up checkpoints in the eastern portion of the county to perform safety inspections on trucks.

“We’re not out here to pick on truck drivers because we know they are like everybody else out here, trying to make a living. But if they are violating the law we want to take them off of the road,” said Virginia State Police Sgt. Terry W. Licklider.

Licklider and his troopers are performing safety inspections this week as part of Road Check 2009. The program is an international safety campaign designed to take dangerous trucks off the roads.

Licklider’s crews kicked off the week-long inspection process Tuesday afternoon at the truck rest area on Interstate 95 near Dumfries.

Once the trucks went through the scales, some were flagged as having potential safety hazards, and were then pulled aside for closer inspection.

The trucks were directed to pull into an inspection bay, where a trooper can walk down a small flight of stairs and easily get underneath the truck.

Among other things they check the vehicle’s undercarriage and drive train for cracks. With flashlights in hand, they also check the tires to make sure they’re mounted on the truck correctly.

They also have the driver pump the brakes to ensure that the 80,000-pound vehicle, which could be hauling as much as 40,000 pounds, can stop safely in an emergency.

“The cause of many crashes can be linked back to faulty equipment but they can also be linked back to driver error,” Licklider said.

Licklider also has to check out the driver’s log book — a record of how long the operator has been behind the wheel.

Inspectors also ask to see a physician’s medical card, which is supposed to confirm the driver is in good health.

Many drivers who have high blood pressure or vision problems have been known not to renew their cards out of fears the doctor will not give them a clean bill of health, Licklider said.

When they don�t have the card troopers shut the truck down.

And if state police pull a truck off the road for safety reasons, the driver has the option of getting the truck repaired while parked at the scales, or the truck can be towed to a garage at the owner’s expense.

State troopers stop 30 to 40 trucks for safety inspection each week in the Northern Virginia, said Licklider.

In recent weeks, however, truckers have cried foul.

Not over truck inspections, but over the lack of truck parking.

The state plans to close 19 of the stateâ€�s 42 rest areas, and replace some signs at the rest areas that allow trucks to park for at least two hours, with ones that read “no overnight parking.”

Those parking spaces are important for truckers as they can only drive for so long before they have to stop and rest.

Many who already can’t find a spot in the crowded rest areas often pull over and sleep on the side of highway entrance and exit ramps.

It is a common issue, but if a driver gets a ticket for stopping alongside the ramps, the citation will not deduct a point off of a person’s license, said Licklider.

The boycott, which also urges vacationers to stay out of Virginia, is being organized in part by the Web site www.truckdriversnews.com .

“If you must travel through Virginia then be prepared not to stop in the state unless absolutely necessary. You can usually have enough gas to drive straight through the state. … The rest area closures affect you just as much as it does the truck driver,” the site states.

The Web site also encourages residents who live near Virginia’s borders to do their shopping across state lines.

The Virginia Travel and Hospitality Association, at first, was against the state’s initial plan to close over half of the state’s rest areas.

When state officials decided remove six rest stops from the closure list, VTHA warmed to the plan.

And while they still maintain that even one rest area closure is one too many, they want the roads to be safe for all drivers.

“When the state came back with their modified plan we didn’t hear too many complaints from truck drivers, but if they now feel like the new parking rules aren’t good enough we will be behind them 100 percent,” said Megan Svajda, VTHA spokeswoman.

Written by Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser

© 2009, Truck Drivers News. All rights reserved.

I guess I need to clarify a few things, from a little small argument I was involved in on twitter today. I mentioned that I had done 6000 miles in a week, big deal. Now, it gets tweeted all over hell and creation that I am doing this now. 140 characters, it is pretty easy to get out of context, because you think you are following along with the conversation and your not.

Back when I started driving a truck, yes I guess you could call me a renegade truck driver. I did what HAD to be done in order to survive. The company I drove 6000 miles a week for was not a big company, we had four total trucks and trailers. I ran illegal all the time, I had a couple different log books I never hardly ever crossed any scales, and never once had an accident or speeding ticket or anything. I have hauled three or four loads per week from Cincinnati,OH to Houston,TX. plus loads from Houston back to Cincinnati,OH. so figure it up. I have hauled Hazmat loads with no placards, and nothing on my license either. I have done the little white pills, and driven for days without stopping. That was the way it was a long time ago.

I am so glad those kind of company’s don’t exist anymore, or if they do I don’t drive for them. A new person coming into trucking could not do a 1/3 of what I have done, no way possible. Back then we were renegade drivers we did what we needed to get things done.

Nowadays, we have what is called renegade trucking companies. Still making the drivers drive illegal, just not the same way. A new driver right out of school, should not be driving alone while the trainer is sleeping in the bunk. New drivers are way to inexperienced to do this. Students should not be put into team driver operations to be trained to drive a truck. They are being forced into these situations all the time.

These large trucking companies are so corrupt and mis-managed it’s not funny. There is so much that goes on behind closed doors so to speak. Women being raped and told they would never be able to work anywhere again, if they said anything. Yelled at, and being screamed at by a trainer is a form of abuse and should not be allowed.

It all has to do with the Hostile way company’s are allowing new drivers men and women to be trained. All these big companies want are bodies to fill seats. Then the government will pay them their money.

If you disagree, then you need to tune into Truth About Trucking “LIVE” will begin bringing this epidemic to light on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 7:30 PM EST. Host Allen Smith, will present a one hour commentary on the trucking talk radio show, setting the stage for the main broadcast which will be on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 at 7:30 PM EST. With a special guest panel, the 2 hour show will reveal the truth behind the bullying and violent assaults that many CDL students and new drivers are facing within the trucking industry. Future shows will be slated, as we continue to push forward in order to stop these acts from occurring, and to demand that the trucking companies who knowingly allow these acts to continue, STOP!

Solutions to the problem will be a major focus for the show. It�™s time to report these acts of violence and let it be known that the correct measures must be put in place to prevent them from happening.

Monday, June 15th, 20ǩ – 7:30 PM EST -Bullying in the workplace

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 – 7:30 PM EST – Hostile Training and Work Environments within Trucking

© 2009, Truck Drivers News. All rights reserved.

During October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the members organizations of different organizations join forces to spread the message that early detection of breast cancer followed by prompt treatment saves lives. If you or a loved one has Breast cancer or has had it, then you already know what all this means. I am not sure myself what it all means, but will try my best at understanding it.

What is Breast Cancer?  Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast divide and grow without normal control.  About 85 percent of breast cancers begin in the mammary ducts, while about 15 percent arise in the lobules.  Tumors in the breast tend to grow slowly.  By the time a lump is large enough to feel, it may have been growing for as long as 10 years.  However, some tumors can be aggressive, and grow much more rapidly.

Many women do not learn much about breast health unless they breastfeed or they have a problem that needs medical attention.  Becoming familiar with breast anatomy and physiology can help you understand the normal changes that occur during your lifetime.  This knowledge is a good place to start learning about health problems and conditions that affect the breasts.

The breasts are made up of a complex network of milk-producing sacs, passageways for carrying milk, supporting tissue, lymph nodes, glands, tiny muscles and fat. Throughout puberty and menopause, not only does the look of the breasts change but also the structure and function of the breasts.

An estimated 192굒 new cases of invasive breast cancer will occur among women in the United States during 2009. And an estimated 40,170 women will die from breast cancer. Also, about 1,910 men will be diagnosed and 440 men will die of breast cancer during 2009 in the United States. In addition to invasive breast cancer, an estimated 62,280 new cases of in situ breast cancer will occur among women in 2009. Of these, about 85 percent will be ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

All women are at risk for breast cancer. The two most important risk factors for breast cancer are being female and getting older. The risk of getting breast cancer increases as you age. Most breast cancers and breast cancer deaths occur in women aged 50 and older. Until more is known about preventing breast cancer, early detection and effective treatment offer the best defense against breast cancer mortality.

Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen.  In 2009, an estimated 1,9Ǫ men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 440 will die from it.  Signs and symptoms of breast cancer in men include: nipple discharge (usually bloody), an inverted nipple, a breast lump, and sometimes, local pain, itching and pulling sensation.  The survival rate of men is about the same as for women with the same stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis.  However, men are usually diagnosed at a later stage because they are less likely to report symptoms.  Treatment for men is the same as treatment for women and usually includes a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.

The reason that I am doing this article is to try an raise an awareness, for the simple fact I have had two family friends to die from this and really myself did not know much about it. So, I am sure there are lots of folks just like me out here today.  I mean yea, I have things on TV about it before, but to truely know what it is no I did not. Matter of fact I did not know men could get it as well.

I guess the first time I really started noticing vehicles that where trying to raise awareness to Breast Cancer was with Dale Hayden when he appeared on CMT’s Trick my Truck serious. His mother had died from Breast Cancer, and he had taken over taking care of his sibling’s anyway he could. His sister had been involved in a serious auto accident . Dale put his life and trucking carreer on hold to take care of her.  She, wanted to show her appreciation, and contacted Trick my Truck. Dale had a 99 international tractor that he worked, so they decided it needed a little work on it.

Here what the completed truck just before it was given back to Dale:

I’m not sure, if Dale is still on the road or not. I had heard he had some engine trouble a few month’s back and really have not heard anything since. If, he is out there running up and down the road, maybe he will give us an update. Good looking truck!

Now, since then I have been looking more closely to see if I could see anymore vehicles either in live, or on the internet. I have seen a couple more in live and a few more on the internet. Here is a recent trailer that trucking company Saia had painted up to bring Breast Cancer Awareness out:

Here are a few other pictures from around the web, see if you recognize any of these:

[/caption]

© 2009, Truck Drivers News. All rights reserved.

Police are searching for a missing California woman who was spotted at a truck stop here Wednesday morning.

Catherine Marie Lique, 49, has been missing since December 2003 from the Barstow, Calif. area, according to Detective Jeremy Bledsoe with the Barstow Police Department.

Lique is a chronic methamphetamine user and she frequents truck stops, Bledsoe said. Her adult daughter lost contact of Lique six years ago after her mother stopped answering phone calls.

“She’s just worried,” Bledsoe said. “We can’t force her to call or come back but (Lique’s daughter) just wants to know she’s alive and well.”

Investigators had few leads in the case until today, when the woman was apparently spotted at a truck stop in the Edinburg area.

She may be using the alias “Catherine Marie Schwab,” Bledsoe said.

Her last known location was the Topper Motel in Barstow on Nov. 26, 2003. She may also have been spotted at the Flying J Truck Stop in Russellville, Arkansas on Tuesday.

Lique is a white female with brown hair and blue eyes. She is aboutŅ feet tall and weighs approximately 110 pounds. She has a tattoo on her right hand.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Bledsoe at 760-255-쾿.
From

© 2009, Truck Drivers News. All rights reserved.

Sheetz Tweetz Chain uses social-networking site to drive traffic to sampling truck.

The Sheetz Bros. Coffee truck isn’t exactly a new concept. The convenience store chain began testing the concept of a foodservice truck offering food and coffee samples back in 2007. What is new is the way the company is letting customers know where to find the truck: through Twitter.

“Right now we are only on Twitter. If you’re part of the general public, that’s the only place you’re going to find the announcement,” the company’s resident Twitterer told CSP Daily News in an interview through the social-networking website.

A recent Tweet from @SheetzCoffeeTRK noted, “We’ll be visiting the Lewistown and Wingate PA Sheetz stores Wednesday and Thursday—Come and see us for lunch—free smoothies!!!”

Full Story

© 2009, Truck Drivers News. All rights reserved.

State Rep. James E. Casorio Jr. said today that he will try to block federal legislation that would pave the way for heavier trucks on the nation’s highways.

Mr. Casorio, D-Irwin, said he will propose a resolution urging Congress to pass a pending bill that would prohibit states that have not already done so, including Pennsylvania, from allowing trucks over 80,000 pounds to travel on the national highway system. The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, and John Murtha, D-Johnstown.

A separate measure sponsored by Rep. Michael Michaud of Maine would allow states to increase the weight limit to 97,000 pounds.

“The large trucks traveling Pennsylvania’s highways now already present a significant safety hazard,” Mr. Casorio said. “They also cost the state and local governments millions of dollars a year in damage to highways and bridges.”

The trucking industry contends that allowing heavier trucks would increase productivity by making it possible to transport more goods with fewer trucks, and that the larger trucks would be no less safe than current trucks.

Mr. Casorio said such claims have been refuted by safety groups including the Truck Safety Coalition and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

“Every time Congress has increased truck weight and size limits in the past, the number of trucks on the road and the number of miles they log has increased, not decreased,” he said, pointing to statistics compiled by the groups. “The same thing would likely happen again.”

Full Story

© 2009, Truck Drivers News. All rights reserved.