
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 22, 1990                   TAG: 9007230292
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHAT TRUCK COULD RUN 90 MPH?

I WOULD like to answer the commentary by Raymond J. Lawrence Jr. June 25, "Speeding rigs on I-81 peril." I have been a truck driver for 57 years, and in Lawrence's words, I'm as mad as hell that a newspaper would print an article with so many unfounded remarks.

Then I'd like to know what a pastoral counselor is doing out there on the highway checking traffic in his little car (probably Japanese). Has he had his speedometer calibrated? Most of these rigs have, and these drivers have been to school to learn to drive, to be courteous on the road and to drive safely.

As for accusing the State Police of being on the take, if I were a state trooper I would sue him for slander. He also said a truck passed him doing 90 mph. Who ever heard of a truck that could run 90 mph? Most states with interstate highways permit a 65-mph limit. I have a hard time getting my truck to run 65 even downgrade.

If Lawrence has to travel a lot, why doesn't he get over on U.S. 11 and check some of the little cars that fly uphill, downhill, through villages and school zones, then write about that?

Finally, about the carnage on I-81 and the picture in the paper of all those chickens on the highway. Them thar chickens was already dead. Ha. GRANT C. WOLFE ELLISTON

by CNB