Big-Rig Accidents

I feel it is time for state and federal regulatory agencies to become active in stemming the growing tide of big-rig freeway accidents. Nary a day goes by that they are not involved in a serious freeway accident resulting in long hours of commuter delays. The trucking firms and their unions should be held accountable. Taxpayer money should not be spent on cleanups.

I have been traveling the Conejo Grade for many, many years. It is commonplace to see trucks exceeding the speed limits and making unsafe lane changes, especially when they are nearing the truck weigh station. I have even witnessed all three lanes occupied by big rigs. They frequently intimidate commuters by following much too close.

Justice is not being served and the driving public is being shortchanged by the apparent leniency afforded the trucking industry. If they were required to pay for the havoc they cause on the freeways they might begin to exercise some restraint and some responsibility. Railroads are held responsible; so also should the trucking industry.

I am aware that the trucking industry pays heavy taxes but this does not give them license to compromise freeway safety with reckless abandon and to flout normal road courtesy. One frequently begins to think that truckers do believe that they are “king of the road.”

CLAIRE MOEBIUS

Camarillo