A bad mood

Avatar photo

Dear editor,

This letter is in reference to the article in the Nov. 2001, issue of Truck News called “Mood of the Canadian trucker.”

Too bad, no one asked me.

On Aug. 20, I will have had my CDL for 30 years. I will also be 48 years-old. Until the summer of 2001, I was an active trucker as a driver and an O/O.

In retrospect, I calculated, in the past 30 years, I have travelled approximately three million miles throughout Canada and the U.S.

I have no criminal record. I have a clean Class 1. I have had zero chargeable accidents.

If I were in any other industry, I would be looking to retire with a nice pension by now. Instead, I’m lucky to be able to keep a roof over my head, and feed my family.

Charles Labrenz, Irricana, Alta.

Signs pose danger

Dear editor,

Your article that appeared in the Oct. 2001 edition of Truck News was recently brought to our attention.

We were both surprised and disappointed to read your unfavorable references to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

During the past several years, CAA has focused on truck safety with the introduction of its Sharing the Road Safely brochure in 1999.

A copy of this brochure and the accompanying news release are enclosed for your information.

This information was prepared in cooperation with a number of groups, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

The intent of the brochure is to cooperatively work with the trucking industry in spreading safety messages that will benefit motorists and professional truck drivers.

We have a cooperative working relationship with the Canadian Trucking Alliance and others in the industry and it is our intent to maintain and advance these relationships for the benefit of all road users.

Your article appears to indicate that you have some specific concerns about the information CAA provides to its members and the travelling public in general.

CAA shares your hope that “we can all get along.”

Safety on our roads relies on cooperation between drivers of all types of vehicles.

Elly Meister, CAA vice-president

Can’t we all just get along?

Dear editor,

The purpose of my letter is to bring attention to a concern I have with some traffic signs – in particular the signs that read “Prepare to Stop.”

The first time I saw one of these warning signs was a number of years ago at the bottom of the hill on Hwy. 6 at the junction of Hwy. 403.

The purpose of the sign is to warn traffic that the light has turned yellow, and does so by flashing two yellow lights to get your attention. This seemed stupid at the time and still does, as you can see the light is yellow.

My real frustration is when these warning signs are not consistent

Does every town or county get to decide for themselves how they want to use these devices?

Bryant Harris, Kitchener, Ont.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*