Opinion Talk

By C. I. Smith

June 9, 2005 08:03 AM | Link to this

Anyone driving in Atlanta or between the major southeastern cities witnesses repeated and intentional unsafe actions by 18 wheeled vehicles, but strict speed enforcement is only one facet of enforcement that must be undertaken. Failure to maintain a safe distance, and to adjust speed according to traffic conditions are equal contributing factors. The guys driving these things do what they can get away with and that attitude, and the ability to get away with it, is 100% contributory to the majority of the accidents involving large trucks. A mandatory 48 hour impound of the vehicle and the driver for ALL offenses might get their attention.

By Louise Monti

June 9, 2005 08:41 AM | Link to this

YES - I am for stricter speed limits for big-rig trucks. It is simply common sense.

By Dan

June 9, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this

I think too much blame is placed on truckers. A few months ago I drove from Atlanta to New York and saw many people do many stupid things, I would say 90% of them were on the phone and none of them were in a truck. While I sympathize with the editorialists loss. He is misinterpreting the data. While truckers are involved in many accidents they also drive the most. In miles driven they are the safest drivers on the road and most of the accidents are caused by the automobile drivers. I am against government interference in most cases but outlawing cell phones and driving would be a far more effective measure

By Angela Cassidy

June 9, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this

Of course there should be stricter limits put on big-rig trucks! Everyday I’m passed on the expressway by some big rig going well over 70 mph. If they had to stop in an emergency there is no way they’d be able to do so. And, they need to obey the laws of staying in the right lanes. Too often, they’re in a hurry and pass cars in the middle lanes - traveling over to the passenger passing lanes. We shouldn’t have to plaace our lives at risk each time we get in car because of big-rigs!

By Tom Hodgson

June 9, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this

I read Steve Owings Op-Ed today with my head in my hands. This is not the first time I have heard these arguments, both the stats on tragedy and the positive results for all involved should speeds be reduced. Every parent in America would sleep better if they knew that the big trucks sharing the road with their children were moving at a slower speed. Who in their right mind is against this change? Our politicians need to make a statement!

By Van

June 9, 2005 10:38 AM | Link to this

While a solution will be expensive, no matter what that solution is, one way to make the roads safer is to isolate the large rig traffic on the interstates from the auto traffic. In New Jersey they have done this to a degree with the local and express sections of the interstate. All trucks must be in the local traffic sections. Give the big rigs two lanes all to themselves, with their own exits and entrances.

While we need to make the roads safer, we also need to realize that the goods we purchase mainly come in via these large trucks, so balance the solution with the impact on comsumer goods and supplies.

By Zach Young

June 9, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this

Speed limits for trucks should be lowered. It is simply not logical that speed limits for cars and trucks should be the same. Since it takes trucks longer to stop, their speed limit should be lower. Steve Owings is right in saying that the American people would be up in arms about airplane safety if two planes per month crashed in the US. The equivalent of that is happening with trucks on our highways. All of us who drive or ride in cars have an important stake in this issue.

By J Lang

June 9, 2005 11:34 AM | Link to this

YES, YES, YES,,,no more than 70 MPH at the most, would prefer 65! We drive many, many times between Miami and North Carolina during the year and 75 is the worst, especially in and around Atlanta. The trucks also exit the interstates way too fast too.

I realize they have to earn a living, but 500 deaths a month, way too high.

Lower the speed limit nationwide too, ASAP, it gets worse and worse each time we drive. It seems there are more and more 18 wheelers on the roads. Bring back the railroads for transporation!

I believe KY truckers have to gl slowers than cars? When we were there, it was a pleasure to drive the roads and feel safer.

SLOW THEM DOWN!!!!!!

By D

June 9, 2005 01:17 PM | Link to this

The speed limit in the Atlanta area is a joke. There is no enforcement. No wonder people of all ages are getting killed on the roads.

By Curtis Tambornino

June 9, 2005 01:34 PM | Link to this

As a logistics professional for over 22 years, I agree that regulating truck speed is important. My 32 truck fleet is governed below Maximum Interstate speed. We simply cannot have 80,000 pounds traveling at high speeds. However, a study I read a few years ago concluded that higher speed is not as much of a danger as disparate speed. No matter how much you regulate a trucks speed, it still cannot stop for a car traveling 15 MPH faster to try to “get around” the truck for the exit the person on the their cellphone didn’t see or wasn’t ready for. On Atlanta’s interstates, there are drivers traveling in excess of 80 MPH at any time, and sometimes that is the police. I find that most drivers think as I do, 73 MPH is the safest speed on I285, any slower and you may cause danger to those going 85 or higher. I believe that if you slow down trucks the disparity of speed gets wider, causing a more dangerous condition. I would rather see more blue lights ticketing ANY driver that is speeding. It is the only way to promote highway safety. I just taught my teenage son to drive, I explained the importance of following road speed rules before we even got in the car. When we entered the freeway, I had to tell him that he should stay 9 MPH over the limit to stay CLOSE to traffic flow, talk about a mixed message!

By Jim

June 9, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this

Stephen’s essay is right on the mark. Trucks are driven too fast on Atlanta’s congested expressways. Cars are also going to fast on these roads. The State should consistently enforce the speed limits on the Interstates in the Atlanta area to protect citizens from reckless and speeding drivers, regardless of the kind of vehicle driven. Almost every weekday morning, the east bound top end perimeter, after the I-75 merge, is the sight of multiple vehicle wrecks. Every weekday evening I-85 north of the I-285 merger is the sight of multiple vehicle wrecks. Speed and agressive driving are the causes of these accidents. I believe that if speed limits are consistently enforced - everyday - that the traffic will slow down and driving will become much safer.

By Bambi Edge

June 9, 2005 02:13 PM | Link to this

I so agree with my friend, Steve Owings, concerning the imminent need for stricter speed limits for big rig trucks on our highways. The statistics of how many Americans die each year in crashes involving 18-wheelers are astounding. The lives of 5,000 loved ones are lost each year - the equivalent of two major airliner crashes a month! These numbers must not be ignored. One is too many.

Having lost their own 22 year old son on his way back to college in tragic accident involving a large truck, Steve and his wife know all too well the devastating pain, anguish, and suffering that goes along with these statistics. I applaud and appreciate their efforts in forming the non-profit organization, Road Safe America (www.roadsafeamerica.org). This group is dedicated to adopting national requirements for the activation of speed governors on 18-wheelers. By reducing their speed, many more motorists AND truck drivers will make it home safely to their families. The Owings have channeled their personal grief and sorrow in a positive direction by working diligently to make our roads safer for ALL of us.

By Dan

June 9, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

I say all trucks should travel at 30MPH max after all if it saves 1 life it’s worth it.

That article is a poster child for knee jerk subjective analysis. Truck drivers are among the safest drivers on the road and usually they are already limited to the right side lanes. Speed limits are ignored now, what makes anyone think creating a new one would change anything. and I state again most of the wrecks involving cars and trucks are the fault of the cars, but like most feel good causes people like to attack the big bad companies instead of the stupid individuals.

By BY Justin Green

June 9, 2005 05:12 PM | Link to this

I have been a professional Truck Driver for 11yrs and during that time I’ve seen the Industry change so much, If the FED Government would do more to show the general public how to drive when they are around Commerical Vehicles we would have less accidents. Speed is not the biggest problem with trucks It’s most people do not respect trucks they think we are always in there way. The cutting trucks off and hitting their brakes thinking we can stop on a dime, Most of the trucks on the road now are governed at lower speeds, but when we have to changed lanes because of something a person driving a car has done or doing the people on either side of us will not let us over. Everthing about a trucks operation is based on the Laws of Gravity, before I started driving I gave trucks all the respect I could, I would rather keep him in front of me so I could see them than riding beside it, most people tailgate trucks which is the most dangerous place to be because if a brake chamber explodes for or a tire blows those peices will end up going through the windshield of the vehicle following to close behind the truck. My last comment is PEOPLE PLEASE JUST RESPECT ANY COMMERICAL VEHICLE YOU ARE AROUND BECAUSE YOU GETTING HOME TO YOUR FAMILY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS HIM GETTING HOME TO HIS.

By Bryan

June 9, 2005 07:06 PM | Link to this

I agree that there needs to be a set limit for large vehicles, but the general public is also at fault on cutting off truckers. Even if they are restricted at 55 MPH, the trucks are unable to stop right away. We see it every day, how many times are we cutoff by someone and have to apply the brakes hard then almost get hit by someone close behind you. There are too many people on all roads going well over the posted speed limit and to target just the truckers is wrong.

By rick

June 9, 2005 07:55 PM | Link to this

first Mr Owings, the loss of your son was tragic, but what i am reading is an angry, bitter man who is blaming the whole trucking industry for your loss. it has been proven time and time again that split speeds do not work, it is simple math if a truck is going 55 and car comes up behind it 80 or 85 , there are good odds that car will wind up under the truck and it will be fatal. i agree their are good truck drivers and bad ones, if you check your data most accident involing trucks and cars, that the car is at fault most time for doing something stupid, i.e. talking on cell phone or eating or putting on makeup, i recently saw women changing her babys diaper while lay on the front seat of the car while moving at over 70mph now that is scary, my company has our speed regulated 65mph which is enough in atlanta, split speeds are not the answer, enforcement by local and state law enforcement is the key to slowing both cars and trucks down.

By glenda bell

June 10, 2005 08:18 AM | Link to this

Truckers cannot stop if someone cuts in front of them. This is true. I am on the road every day and truckers pull in behind me and stay very close to my bumper. I never travel in the left lane unless passing, but trucks often travel in the car lanes and stay very close. It seems that the large dump trucks are the most aggressive. They often do not have licence plates on the back of them and it is impossible to read them for reporting purposes. Also, wreckers are very fast and aggressive. I am grateful to be alive. I do believe that 60 mph should be the maximum speed for all 18 wheelers.

By stan

June 14, 2005 11:23 PM | Link to this

I heard Steve on wsb radio the other day and i’m sorry to hear about his loss.I’m a tractor-trailer driver and i travel frequently around the atlanta area and i honestly hate it.I have over 20yrs experience.My response in this forum is due to the total ignorance of some of the posted remarks+comments that i’ve read. both cars+trucks should do the posted speed limits-it’s the people who drive well over the posted speed limits that when something happens they can’t respond to the situations.I my opinion trucks shouldn’t be restricted to the right lanes due to the merging traffic getting off+on the highway.The new hours of service are a joke-who made this decision? Truck drivers are allowed to drive an extra hour each day?-real smart!! Then we have to finish the same or more work each day without rest usually,in a shorter period of time-the so-called 14hr rule! Give us a break!! I’ve noticed an increase in serious truck accidents since the inception of the new hrs of service.Steve,i’d like to talk to you.stan