I am writing to you concerning the truck strike. Not many people understand what it is about.
I have been a truck driver for 11 years, and I mostly drive long haul with my husband. Over the years, we have seen many prejudices against truck drivers. Some of these include inaccessibility to public facilities, shopping, even parking for a few hours of sleep. We are targeted for speed traps, unfair drug testing, as well as searches of our vehicle at any time or place. Our truck is considered public domain.We are forced to drive in dual speed zones in many states, which is an extreme safety hazard. In many instances, upon arrival at our destination, we are often forced to unload our trailers after we have driven for days without stopping to get sufficient rest. This is against federal regulations but never enforced.
Clinton's tax package has hit every truck driver in America very hard. Our daily expense allowance has dropped from $32 per day per driver to $15. This means thousands of additional dollars for us in taxes. The new law also taxes owner/operators on their gross earnings instead of their net income. This will force many out of business.
We also have been forced to endure higher fuel taxes, which will be passed on to consumers through higher prices for goods.
We cannot own a gun, much less carry one in our truck.
We are limited on the number of traffic citations we can receive. More than two tickets in one year can mean our driving privileges can be revoked for a year or longer. Our license costs us over $200 each by the time we pay for endorsements, physical exam, driving test and written test.
In some states, it is illegal for us to carry a radar detector, but it's OK for a car to have one. In Illinois, they are trying to make it illegal for trucks to have a CB radio in them. Not cars, just trucks. Come on people, get real.
We are tired of treated like second-class citizens. We want the public to know how things really are for us out here on the road, to help us change them.
Think to yourself, where would I be if there were no trucks?
Judith L. Daley
Murray