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Cell Phone Ban
Fall 2011
Greetings,
IN THIS ISSUE
Yes, I am still preaching that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The economic tunnel that is. How long that tunnel is I don't know. I was hoping, back in 2009, for a really short tunnel like one of those scenic, one second and your through, blip deals like the covered bridges in Vermont. Instead it may be a little longer like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (23 miles). Nevertheless, unemployment is still not growing and truck sales are up 12%. That is "light" at the end of the tunnel. I wouldn't call this setting the world on fire BUT I'll take it. Any amount of good news is better than bad news!
Are Towing Companies Too Aggressive? Exciting Products For Auto Haulers Is A Cell Phone Ban For Heavy Truckers A Good Idea?
Regards Michael Saks Editor of Haulin msaks@ectts.com
It's a familiar theme...towing companies are being criticized for doing their jobs. I recently read of a municipality where the towing companies are being accused of being too aggressive by proactively clearing the no parking zones of the city for violators. Now don't get me wrong, there are cases where a car gets towed when it shouldn't. I would bet the vast majority of cars towed were violators in no tow zones. My problem is the logic being used to judge the towers performance is faulty. The towers are contracted to do a job and it appears they are doing their job quite well in some municipalities. In these cases, the community is complaining that there are too many cases of towed vehicles. Basically, the towers are excelling by doing their appointed job well but not receiving any accommodation. Based on this fact, let me ask you a few questions. If a city hired a garbage contractor who picked up all the garbage flawlessly, completely, and ahead of schedule; would anyone even consider complaining? If the fire department sets speed records for getting to emergencies faster and helping the public better than other fire departments, wouldn't they be receiving praise? So why are towers the only group that is on the hook (no pun intended...reallyJ) for doing their job and doing it well. If the public has a beef about towing, they should take it up with the elected officials who hired the towing contractors. Leave the towers out of it. Unless a towing contractor FAILS to do what they are hired to do, the issue of fees and city regulatory policy is between the citizens and their officials. As far as towing zones where there is a time limit in which parking is allowed, of course many people are going to say they haven't been there past the time limit. The city should make it clear that a no parking zone is a no parking zone. Likewise, if an enormous number of cars are getting towed, maybe they should reduce the number of tow away zones or build more garages so people won't be under the temptation to park illegally. Finally, have the public vote on a reasonable amount a tow company can charge. If the amount voted on is less than the towing company's minimum cost, the difference will come from tax revenue. The unwritten policy of do your job until the city government or the press needs a scapegoat has got to end. Vote on laws you can live with and stop using the tower as a convenient whipping post to deal with when the public that doesn't like the city governments towing policy. The towing contractor is exactly that, a contractor. If you don't want them to do their job and do it well...don't hire them. If you do hire them though, let them do their job and let the public know they have done their job well. Read More At: http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/money/consumer/taking_action_for_you/thousands-of-bay-area-drivers-find-theircars-have-been-towed
Western Star Announces New Fuel Efficient Model for Car Haulers Western Star has done it again. They have made a number of additions to their 4900 Auto Hauler model to make it safer and more energy efficient. These benefits do not come at the cost of having less performance, giving the car hauler more value for their money. As always this Lowmax series car hauler design offers standard comfort features to make your time in the cab more livable.
10/18/2011 12:42 PM
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Some of the Improvements in the 4900 Series: Improved high visibility hood Chrome wrap around bumper Under the hood air cleaners Horizontal (Back of Sleeper) exhaust Low 102" cab to ground height Cummins ISX15 engines 400 to 600 horsepower 2,500 pounds of Torque www.ectts.com to see North America's Largest Car Hauler Dealer's inventory.
Want more information or pricing. Go to
It is estimated almost 1 out of every 4 accidents is caused by cell phone usage. Distracted driving has become such a problem that the government is considering banning cell phone usage for truckers while driving. This, at first glance, seems a little extreme. We live off our phones as a society. Drivers depend on them to get directions or instructions from their fleet headquarters while on the road. Naturally my first reaction is that the majority is being punished because of a few "abusers" who used their cell phone too much while driving their truck. The more I thought about it though, I realized that is not the case.
According to some statistics by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute:
A truck driver texting while driving is 23.2 times more likely to get into an accident than a trucker paying full attention to the road. A truck driver dialing a cell phone is 5.9 times more likely to crash. A trucker reaching for a phone or other device is 6.7 times more likely to experience a truck accident. Essentially, the connection between cell phone distraction and accidents has reached epidemic proportions. If you do the math, you could eliminate thousands of accidents by just staying off the cell phone. Usually I am the most anti-regulation based writer you will meet, but this
10/18/2011 12:42 PM
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is a case where thousands of truckers will be saved from dying in an accident. For that reason alone, I think the ban should become law.
East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales wants to be your premier dealer for truck and trailer sales, parts and service. We sell a variety of parts from tie down bars, chains & clusters, strap technology, chrome, dollies, safety gear, and more. Please call us anytime at 1-866-849-2178. Sincerely, Michael Saks, Internet Commerce Manager East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales msaks@ectts.com
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10/18/2011 12:42 PM