Comments for Coast To Coast 100

Comment on “What can we do to help?” by David Niven

David Niven — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:36:32 +0000

Thank you people for the reply, the public would be very interested in exactly what’s going on with fuel levies and freight charges.
They would want to know … why they’re paying ever increasing food costs if a majority of truckies are being rorted of entitlements?
I think that these companies,not passing on correct fuel levies or not paying a decent freight charge,should be named.
The public and truckies are being shafted.
And Dave Sweeney says”rates are being kept down by people undercutting each other.”
There should be a minimum base rate and be strictly controlled.

Dave

Comment on “Deliberate retaliation and intolerance on our roads is a common occurrence by Richie

Richie — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:39:31 +0000

A truer word couldnt have been well said here and thats the way to go as they say……once again I thought that this site had gone back to sleep but great to see that its very much alive and yes I am still sitting back watchng what is going on ……….

Comment on “Deliberate retaliation and intolerance on our roads is a common occurrence by lyndal

lyndal — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:04:58 +0000

Hi Becki. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and observations with readers. Your letter certainly deserves “letter of the week” status. I am often saddened at the devastating and long-lasting impact the “cowboys” in the trucking industry have not only in terms of increased risk of road trauma to other road users but also on the reputations of the majority of drivers within the industry who are proud of the work they do, who DO the right thing and who deserve enormous respect from the community for the work they do.

I have often said that I can think of no other occupation in this country where so many lives are lost yet so little has been achieved in terms of stemming the carnage.

Our new National Road Safety Hotline proposal - available for viewing Tuesday August 19 on this site is the 1st step - we believe - in “modifying” dangerous driver attitudes on the road. Your comment “removing licences from cowboys is the only way to rid the rot” also applies to other road users.

It is heartening to see so many truck drivers coming forward in support of the work we are trying do do, contributing workable solutions to an issue close to the heart of all Australians. Stay safe

Kind regards
Lyndal

Comment on “His four year old son has forgotten more about trucks then you could ever know.” by smokey

smokey — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:52:18 +0000

when the coppers need cash wot do thay go out and fne u the reson truck talk on the uhf is becose thay no the next dogbox to pull them over will be out for the drivers money lets bring the trucks up to 110 i used to run of skeline at adooler85 in a fully loaded bouble and i am not a cowboy

Comment on by rhonda

rhonda — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:19:24 +0000

As they should Dave lol

Comment on “His four year old son has forgotten more about trucks then you could ever know.” by Brian

Brian — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:32:25 +0000

Rhonda,
I have no issue with the ADR as you have gone to great lengths to describe, regarding speed limiters. The ADR is another law that is not adhered to, and is regularly stretched.

Regarding your comments about the word professional, I guess I can now call myself a professional, car/4WD/bus driver, and everyone else on the roads is also now a professional driver.

Transport inspectors also check log books as well, I have heard many times truckers asking where they are and when told, often say on the radio, “bugger, I guess I’ll have to go a different (read longer) way today”. By the way, it is illegal to flash lights to warn other road users of the presence of the police ahead, and there is a stiff fine for miscreants if caught. It doesn’t happen often here anymore, but there is always the few who will flaunt the rules.

Its not being a bad driver to want to travel at the safest speed and not wanting to then be held up severely at the next hill by trucks, and I must say, held up more than the truck that maybe held to 90K in 100K zones. Who is the impatient one now?

So lets all calm down and drive safely with respect for other road users, no matter car or truck. We all have to SHARE!!!! You cant expect to have clear roads so that you can travel at your set pace on these roads that cannot handle the volume of traffic that they are expected to. If there is a large volume of traffic when you want to be on the roads, then you have to expect that your trip is going to take longer, accept that, and keep your stress levels in check, and many of the silly impatient moments and actions may be reduced and more people will make it home safely tonight.
Cheers
Brian.

Comment on Safety Snapshots by Chris(National Finalist YATD 2007)

Chris(National Finalist YATD 2007) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:58:04 +0000

David,

Thanks mate for the lovely message, it all helps. I heard about the mess on the pacific but I wasn’t actually aware it was at Broadwater.

Comment on “Enough is enough blokes back off and slow down …..” by lyndal

lyndal — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:46:08 +0000

Welcome to COASTTOCOAST100 David! Again we find ourselves in the company of one of the transport industry’s finest. Thank you for your words of support and congratulations on an exemplary driving history!

Sadly, as Governments continue to introduce unrealistic legislation in an effort to be “seen to be doing something” in the wake of incidents like Broadwater, professional drivers like David are leaving the industry in droves quite simply no longer able to operate effectively under such tight regulation. This - of course - places other road users at greater risk of injury as transport operators employ those with B grade driving records in the wake of skills shortages in the sector.

In the past week within a 100kn stretch of the Pacific highway, we have witnessed two major accidents involving 4 heavy vehicles with two dead - one the fault of a motorist the other a heavy vehicle driver. Enough is enough!

Next week will mark the release of our new National Road Safety Hotline proposal which can be viewed on the website under the “Reports” tab from Tuesday August 19. It is time for us ALL to stand together and demand Governments make the legislative changes necessary to enable us all to work toward bringing dangerous drivers to account.

David, we would be delighted to hear from you more often.

Kind regards
Lyndal

Comment on by David Niven

David Niven — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 01:28:39 +0000

Westy,you should know better!
The women know best.
We’re done for Westy,women are going to rule this world.
Hello Irene and Rhonda.

Dave

Comment on “What can we do to help?” by Dave Sweeney

Dave Sweeney — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:35:51 +0000

The transport operators have to take a lot of blame for the state the industry is in at present.

Rates are kept down by people undercutting each other.
Comradrie has gone listen to the uhf anywhere you like.
Drivers blame every one else except themselves.

How about this.

Base rate $2.50 a k for the prime mover and $0.50 a k for each trailer.
Standard rules and regulations Australia wide.
Abolition of backload rates.
Decent parking bays for all the community.

Then how about drivers just being civil again. Run your truck like a real business, put your prices up to cover all costs then add 20% for your company. If people do not want to pay dont cart thier frieght.

I dare you all to try it.