Don’t keep it between the lines

There’s something inherently twisted about the Virginia Department of Transportation painting zigzag white lines in some areas to encourage drivers to slow down. I mean, this is the same state that wants to close rest areas to sleepy truckers and force them back onto the highways.Don’t you think fatigue alone is enough to make regular white lines blur and twist? Heaven help the drowsy driver who

The word on the tweet is: information

Online networking sites like Twitter have opened up new avenues of communication, and truckers are among those tapping into the information stream.Networking is simply another way – not the only way, but another way – of getting the latest on something going on.Recently, we’ve seen growing numbers of lawmakers, including governors and members of Congress, getting their own Twitter and Facebook

Now this is worrisome

The comments have been rolling in regarding that crazy fatigue checklist used by DOT in Minnesota and Indiana. OOIDA member Bob “Cowpoke” Martin had a couple of interesting thoughts.The “intention” behind the so-called fatigue checklist is to provide clues as to whether truckers are actually sleeping when they are supposed to be sleeping. If they are not, then of course they are fatigued and

Can really tall stacks save the world?

It sounds like something from News of the Weird or Snopes.com, but an adviser to President Obama says they’ve discussed shooting pollution particles into the atmosphere to offset global warming – which supposedly is fostered by ... pollution particles in the atmosphere.Frankly, this sounds like an idea out of a Michael Crichton novel like “Jurassic Park,” where the scientists know just enough to

Persistence pays off for OOIDA in Ohio

Early this month Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed into law a bill that includes a provision to eliminate split speed limits on interstates. It was a major breakthrough for OOIDA and truckers who have been working for years to get the rule changed.Today, society expects results to be swift, if not instant.Having results yesterday are what we want. It seems that farmers are the only ones who are

9 out of 10 doctors: You need a Snuggie

Who hasn’t seen the infomercial for the Snuggie, the glorious Royal blue (or crimson) fleece material that works like a blanket, only better?The salesman that you hear pounding home the message, that you need a blanket-like garment to wear while watching TV, reading a book or even watching a football game. After the first 15 to 20 times you see the commercial, I actually considered buying it. Did

My neck size? Excuse me?

Over the past few days, Land Line Now on Sirius XM radio has been reporting on the fatigue driving evaluation checklist, a tool used by patrol officers in two states to determine whether truckers are “fatigued.” The special series is written and voiced by Host Mark Reddig. And it’s created quite a stir.The fatigue questionnaire is in use by Minnesota and Indiana state police, and in both states