ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 19, 1997 TAG: 9702190050
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GAEL M. CHANEY
IN RESPONSE to recent pro and con letters to the editor about truck traffic on interstate highways:
I fully appreciate the role of trucks in bringing us the goods we want and need, but it also scares me to death to share the roads with them in this area.
As a graduate student at Virginia Tech with a husband and two children in Martinsville, I make a four-hour round trip once or twice a week between Martinsville and Blacksburg. I have a choice of two routes: U.S. 220 and Interstate 81 through Roanoke or Virginia 57 and 8 through Floyd. Although travel time is about the same either way, the route through Floyd is 20 miles shorter and is my preferred route whenever weather conditions aren't threatening.
Because Route 8 is extremely curvy and steep between Floyd and Woolwine and not to be trifled with in snowy or icy conditions, I sometimes have to take I-81 and U.S. 220. The last time I drove it was typical.
Anywhere from two to six trucks would be bunched together on I-81 with less than half a truck length between them. There were also cars in these packs - all traveling in excess of 70 mph. I was thankful that traffic wasn't heavy and I was able to stay clear of the packs. But when I've traveled the road at peak traffic times, it has been impossible to keep the trucks from tail-gating me. At 70 mph, the slightest moment of inattention on the part of one driver in such a pack could spell disaster for all drivers in it.
The problem on U.S. 220 is that trucks refuse to slow down for the curves. Time after time, traffic is backed up because a truck overturned on a curve. I-73 will supposedly alleviate that problem, but it won't be a reality for a decade or more. In the meantime, what are these professional drivers thinking of when they take the curves so fast? The curves are well-marked with warning signs.
Another problem: Since trucks cannot maintain the speed limit going uphill, they exceed it going down the other side. Car drivers end up playing a dangerous game of leapfrog with them while trying to maintain a constant speed ourselves.
Brian E. Scott (Jan. 28 letter, ``Interstates aren't for joy rides'') was correct in saying: "The real solution to the problem on the highways is mutual respect and courtesy between truck and automobile drivers."
I respect the sheer power and size of trucks and try to stay out of their way, but I would appreciate it if they would also respect my right to use the highway and not follow too closely or travel at dangerous speeds.
Gael M. Chaney of Martinsville is a graduate student at Virginia Tech.
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