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Trucking regulations can be taken too far

Editor:

We all drive the highway and byways here in West Virginia every day, but when we drive on the interstate or truck routes we become annoyed by the fact we are being held up or being passed on the highway by one of these titans of the road. We blame them for driving too fast or spraying water, snow or dust and dirt all over our cars.

But have you ever stopped to think what might be on that truck that is either going too slow for you or that truck that just passed you? The public perception of heavy trucks is not going to improve much as long as we have the sensational reporting, perpetuation of myths and a few bad apples that are intent on spoiling the bunch.

People rarely remember the trucks they pass, cut off, force to apply the brakes or follow too closely on any given day. But they always remember that one that passed them. Those white-knuckle memories lead to the complaints. Add in a story about a fiery truck crash and you’ve the formula for new laws and restrictions. I do believe that the general public doesn’t understand that trucks bring everything we eat, wear and use on a daily basis. But I also believe the majority of the general public is naturally afraid of the tractor trailers they share the highways and byways every day with.

The public needs to know that the vast majority of truckers are the safest drivers on the roads today. But most people only seem to remember that one incident that really scared them. I know it’s hard for the general public to understand but it’s time to stop overreacting and use some common sense in the way we think about the tractor tailors that we share the road with. If you regulate trucks to the point that they can’t operate, then ask yourselves how we will get our everyday things we use in the home and work or wear on our backs or our feet?

Mike McRae

Elkins

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