Archive for August, 2008

Howdy folks.  12 months have gone by already since I started to visit this site to pledge my views.  In this edition and others to follow, I plan to detail what I believe to be - what should be - adopted by governments all over this fine brown land of ours in an attempt to reduce collisions.  I do not wish to adopt a band aid approach by simply adapting a harm minimisation approach.  This doesn’t work. 

Shining examples of this in my opinion are the safe injecting rooms for drug dependants.  We still have people addicted, and while I realise the problem is bigger than just simply giving up the habit, it still has to be said people are still overdosing.  Likewise with our TV ads about speed, fatigue, and seatbelts.  We still have people ignoring these requisites to our own survival. 

I have since my first letter said - like we all do on this website - that through good QUALITY training we can achieve anything.  With the system I propose, not only can we expose people to the information that is needed and test them on their ability to adopt the policies and procedural changes, but we can expect that everyone driving on our roads are trained to the same level. 

We can also expect that EVERYONE that is driving toward us is just as accountable for their actions as are we going in the opposite direction.  We can expect that should there be an incident resulting in death that the person responsible can no longer expect to be let off easy, as a ZERO tolerance to their negligence will no longer be accepted by the public.   I sound like I’m running for the US presidency. 

Moving right along.  We need a system that can be integrated with our current schooling, and by breaking this course down into modules we can achieve a self paced based system that can be done at our own leisure.  And through the practicing each module with a practical test or practical task/activity we can see how the theory learned is put into practice. 

While I must admit some of the modules may be somewhat challenging to achieve a practical activity there will be however, a chance to be tested on what has been learned.  Now some people may say that a test will only encourage the parrot effect whereby people will memorise the answers in order to get them right.  This being the case the tests will be asking for the answer and then asking for the individuals own interpretation to gauge their unique understanding of the information.

I use this method as it addresses the shortfall for people that may have the understanding but are lacking in other academic regions of learning.  And by adopting the approach that if the persons own independent wording of the information can be correct, thus will close the doors on discrimination on an academic level. 

This course also aims at backing up our claims that it’s a privilege to be in possession of a driver’s liquescence not a right.  For those who haven’t completed the set modules can’t sit for their license and should be considered by all relevant licensing bodies in your state. 

I make no apologies for the hard nature of my claims, but after all we’re better to have a hard time getting our license then to end up dead through no fault of our own, wouldn’t you agree??

So let’s start off with Module 1. 

Module 1 I believe should start with the basic vehicular systems.  In this module we should be covering what makes up the engine bay and being able to identify the different components, such as oil filler, battery, radiator/header tank and cap, air cleaner, power steering fluid, washer fluid, automatic transmission fluid if fitted with a dipstick.  We also need to have an understanding on how to check these and see to it that, they are at acceptable levels.   We also need to be able to identify the fan belts, and have a basic understanding on how to check their physical condition.  Checking the wiper blades for wear is another to be learnt.

Moving along we need to able to check our tyres for inflation, and check the physical condition of them.  Be able to identify when the tyres are at the point whereby they need to be changed, or rotated in order to achieve even wear.  Also we need to expose people to the actual job the tyre does.  By this I mean we need to know that the tread that is on our tyres is simply there to displace water from underneath not for grip as the majority of people believe.

Braking systems.  We need to learn about how this system works.  Once again on a basic level so that we know and understand that they only stop the wheels from turning, not the car from moving.  We also need to know how to use the brake pedal effectively to achieve maximum braking efficiency and without scraping lumps of tread off the road.  Also while we’re on this topic we need to learn about the different types of braking systems, air actuated hydraulic, hydraulic, vacuum, and air systems.  Nothing too detailed but understanding on a basic level what is happening when we put our foot on the brake.  We should also learn things such as how to identify that there is air in the lines and what to do if we find ourselves in that situation.

Suspension.  Simply just touching on this topic to understand once again what it is happening to our vehicle when we corner, when we brake, being able to identify when shocks should be replaced.   When I say basic understanding I mean that we should be aiming for an ability to identify basic things like the sway bars, and rubbers.  We don’t need an intricate understanding but enough to understand exactly what makes us ride so comfortably and the possible stresses on this system that we are exerting on them at even 100km/h.  With more to follow in practical on road experiences.  Learning to corner properly, etc.

Power steering, we need to be able to understand that most vehicles are fitted with power assisted steering.  How to check oil levels, identifying the different noises that can be made. 

Electronic stability control I believe we should be having a basic understanding of what’s happening to our vehicle with this, as not all cars are fitted with this system.  Therefore, being able to drive to not need this system at all.  And like all technology it’s prone to that disastrous electronic failure. 

Our practical/assesment task can be simply a trip off to the local mechanic for a tour and a talk about the job that he/she does.  The importance of roadworthiness should be discussed in this trip.  And also a trip off to the local tyre place to find out about tyres, how to check their roadworthiness, and also how to check pressures.  This should be followed up with a theory exam in the students own words of the information learnt in this module. 

More to come folks as I continue with Module 2, OH&S and First Aid certification, and perhaps Module 3.

Chris Cartwright - National Finalist, Young Australian Truck Driver Competition, 2007

Registration Number:   (B trailer of b-double) 433-QNU
Company Insignia:        (Nicholson and page) (blue K104B Kenworth)

———————–Incident Details——————–

Time:                           1.15 am
Date:                           20/8/08

Place of Incident:            
Tyndale overtaking lanes just past closed service station northbound

Details of Incident:          
Vehicle was traveling in company with white bonneted Kenworth truck carrying 1 jet ski on small trailer and one boat on trailer.  The vehicle in question was a distinctive blue Kenworth ‘cab-over’ b-double with the logo’s of the Greens cooking ingredients company all over the trailers.

This vehicle was traveling well over the speed limit and tailgating for a considerable distance both myself, another semi trailer traveling in front of me, and a four wheel drive traveling at the speed limit.

I was driving a single semi trailer combination myself northbound to Brisbane and was listening via the scan function on my uhf radio to the driver’s comments on vehicles observing the speed limits etc.

This particular driver sounded young, extremely fatigued and was regularly commenting on how tired he was and that he was “nodding off” and needed to stop although he did not stop. He tailgated me upon reaching the Cowper area all the way until we reached the location at Tyndale. He was extremely and dangerously close with his headlights being un-visible and passed me with absolute ease and speed whilst I maintained a 100k limit which my vehicle is geared to.

Upon reaching Ballina, I heard the said driver and his travel companion arrange to park in the industrial area at north Ballina which they were commenting was off limits to b-double vehicles, but they still drove and parked in the area as they were visible from the highway. They planned to leave before the RTA could find them and fine them.

This is not the first instance of incidents with this Company’s vehicles and they are well known for traveling well in excess of the speed limit and their driving habits.

Hi Dave N.  Great reply!  Smoky  …..  I have a better idea!  Bring up the rate for frieght, “Not speed” , suport TWU in their fight for better ,safer respectable work conditions that will cover the cost to suvive for both the ownerdriver and companies within the transport industry.  I know 1st hand that things are starting to happen and yeh there are a few hick ups at present with gov dept in some rushed solutions to date ie new log book , workcover with OHS, self defence procedures etc . I hope its all for the best!

Carl  …..  I drive a car and a coach.  Sorry I don’t tow a carravan - just a pop top when taking my wife and 3 little girls on holiday. “big deal” SO what do you mean about this game??  I thought this site is about communicating between all drivers. 

I personally find, not sitting up the ass of the vehicle in front leaves the driver to concentrate and do the speed that they’re comfortable with SO get up RTA for more dual pass lanes.. DONT BAG OUT THE OTHER DRIVER. This word (family) what can we do to preserve that living word?
I mean (mine,yours tanya’s westy’s others even Chris’s new baby girl!

Carl stop being a such a hypocrite and DO a little to preserve this word (family)…
Just dropping in to say hi to every one.  Keep safe
Ian B (The favourite coach driver)

do ya remember him (Chris N,F,Y 2007) ha” ha”

Good morning all. I am both a truck driver and motorhome traveller. Ones imagination runs wild with that combination because once one steps out of a truck one is no longer considered a part of the fraternity. Mentality verses logic.  There are 3 issues I would like to raise.

1. In late 2006 I attempted to report to the police (NSW) a very, very dangerous trucking fraternity racket.  My life had been seriously compromised. The issues were massive. The Police seemingly - did nothing. We, the decent older wiser drivers would like nothing more than to see the idiots outlawed because of the stats and the carnage. How can it be safe when resting in a RTA station almost cost a life!   So, with the information I have,  one would then start to believe that the Police in NSW also need to be re-educated about matters reported.

2.  As I mentioned, once down out of the truck and into the motorhome I am simply another pest on the road for the cowboys in the trucking fraternity. The other day I heard something so stupid yet funny, but dangerous. A group of truck drivers travelling north, mid north coast NSW. The front driver has come up behind a motorhome which he claimed was going fast on the double lanes and slow on the single. This can be a bit of a problem. The truck driver jumps on the uhf to gather support from other truck drivers. The motorhome is sporting a UHF number on his rear end, so a conversation is sparked by the truck drivers about ‘how good the motorhome people thought they were’, ‘making out they are truckies’ calls one. Another then said, “yeah calling us up to help us go around them, like they are big truckies”!  The latter statement needs a re-read to believe it!  We are dealing with idiots here.

The front runner, now with support, decides to get aggressive with the motorhome owner, getting in closer to his rear end.  To myself I said ‘wait for it’!   Next I could hear over the UHF the front driver quickly backing off as the motorhomer slowed down even more.  More screaming and swearing from the front driver, calling the motorhome driver nasty names. 

Moral to the story - all these truck drivers knew the motorhome owner had a UHF. Whilst the motorhomers preferred channel may have been - say 25 - does not imply that he/she remained on that channel. So whilst these cowards were verbally tongue lashing the driver of the motorhome and riding his/her rear end, the motorhomer was listening to it on the UHF.   All to soon the motorhome slowed even further, placing the truck drivers under more pressure.   Absolute stupidity from both fraternities.  It is a common occurrence. Deliberate retaliation and intolerance on our roads coming from various angles.

3. The trucking fraternity is at boiling point - pushed to the maximum by ruthless clients who are demanding quicker freight but refuse to pay good dollars to suit their high demands. The $’s paid to many drivers has not risen since the early 80’s.  Government demands which go on and on. High fuel costs, road taxes, worse restrictions on log books.  All of this is not only penalising the cowboys within the fraternity but the decent drivers especially the small independent guys.   Many years ago when the Constitutional laws were adhered to by the Government and the clients made less demands without so many ruthless rogues in charge, the trucking fraternity was great.

Ask a mature truck driver, he or she will tell you themselves, they miss the old style of driving which was courteous and helpful to all road users. They did not drive to demands, they drove for the love of it. The drivers supported each other in a greater manner and extended that courteously to other road users. (I was saved from certain death, an Ivan Mallatt story), by a Brambles car freight driver in the early 80’s who went out of his way to turn his rig around and pelt back to make sure I was ok.  These days, and sadly, not one of them would stop to help.

So when we look for solutions we must start from the ground and work up.  Wasn’t it Howard who made the statement, after the Dubbo trucking affair, that he would be sending a clear message to the large conglomerates (like Coles, Safeway, Woolworths etc) to back down from squeezing the heck out of the trucking fraternity.  So what happened?  Another lie?  So who do we target? Maybe targeting the large conglomeriates with the road carnage stats would be a start. Issuing them with the entire story behind a trucking accident, especially the ones involving kids which always drops me to my knees. Then sending a copy to the Government until they are sick of it and do something about it. Taking legal action against the government for a breach of the constitutional laws is a possibility.

Removing licences from cowboys is the only way to rid the rot. Slapping them by expulsion from one trucking company only sends them to another. Take a look at the positions vacant ads! The next generation entering the trucking fraternity, should include more women. (The oldest and most respected woman/driver was in her 90’s and drove in the NT)  As the licence fees are extremly high now a sponsorship scheme should be made available. The education/training programs should include - staying safe and staying clean programs. 

I think your site is great and I am sure you are doing a wonderful job, well done.  I for one am sick and tired of the bitching and griping from all angles and long to see a far reaching and suitable outcome.  Thanks for taking time to read this.

Becki

Good on you lass for having a go.  We professional drivers have had enough and are now starting to question other drivers.  This is a great forum and if it educates and saves one life it is worth it and good on you Chris for having a go.  Mate the events of the past week have left me shattered.  Broadwater should not have happened.  No cars were involved just 3 trucks and 2 dead.  Enough is enough blokes back off and slow down.  You are the ones holding the wheel, not the Police or RTA or government stop making excuses and accept that you control your destiny.  Stay safe
David
Started in the transport industry in 1979.  No fatalities, has not up-ended one or hurt any person with a heavy vehicle.