Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/358493
VOICES CHANNEL 19 8 | Overdrive | August 2014 Visit Senior Editor Todd Dills' CHANNEL 19 BLOG at OverdriveOnline.com/channel19 Write him at tdills@randallreilly.com. A truck driver's video of a roadside stop gained widespread attention last month. It's a remarkable piece of work, not least for the fact that it made "ABC World News" as well as "Good Morn- ing America," nor for the politeness of the Illinois State Trooper it features. He was quite apologetic after being called out for unsafe speed and cell phone use. The driver he'd pulled over, Brian Miner, had used his horn to call the offi cer out for speed as he passed, so the stop was to issue an "unlawful use of horn" ticket. What he got instead after verbally sparring with the offi cer was an admission of guilt by the trooper – and "an inspection with no violation, no warnings," in the trooper's words. Some readers won- dered what might hap- pen if more drivers took an aggressive role with offi cers who are operating unsafely: "If more drivers would stand up for what they know is right, we wouldn't get harassed as much," wrote Dale Kirschbaum. Another commenter noted that the profusion of cameras in vehicles across the nation "is a good thing, except when citizens begin trolling for trouble just to get their 15 minutes of fame on YouTube. … Don't get overzealous, people." Weigh in yourself, and watch the video, via the June 30 post to the Channel 19 blog. Add a lane already! So wrote reader Eric Buckel of Salt Lake City: I-15 between Barstow and Las Vegas needs to be set to three lanes all the way, as there are a lot of travelers midweek. Baker grade has three lanes, but I'm talking about Barstow to Baker, and from the summit to the Nevada state line. A lot of other areas need to be more than the minimum two-lane freeway each side. Traveler volume is increasing, and there needs to be a three-lane minimum for a lot of places. Can you think of similar segments across the country? Tell us in the comments under the July 1 post on the blog. TRANSTAR SHINES IN P&P COMPETITION Kenny Hubka of Riceville, Iowa, a company driver for Precision of New Hampton, placed well with this 1977 International TranStar 4200 in the antique category of Overdrive's Pride & Polish event in La Crosse, Wis., in June. His show photos have been a hit on his "High Gear Pho- tography" Facebook page and elsewhere. Ahead of the La Crosse show, Hubka sent in shots of the truck he bought years ago with intentions for a full restoration. It's reminiscent enough of the "kind of truck dad had when I was about 10 years old," he says, adding that he's fi ne with it just the way it is. His dad's "was a 1972 – the fi rst I was able to steer." The unit's powered by a non-turbo 8v71 Detroit with a 13-speed transmission. "At 2,100 rpms, she'll do 67 in gear 13," he adds. If he could get one for the right price, he'd love to fi nd a Mercury sleeper to add, "but fi nding one that you don't have to give an arm and a leg for in half-good shape is tough." Check out the old-school patina that offset the chrome and shiny stainless in Wisconsin in more photos at the June 21 post to the blog. DRIVER TURNS THE TABLE ON TROOPER DRIVER TURNS THE TABLE ON TROOPER A driver's dashcam-captured video encounter with an Illinois State Trooper went viral after being posted on You- Tube. One commenter noted this officer "deserves the badge he is wearing" for taking "a look at himself in the mirror after looking at the driver's record" and ultimately making "the right decision" to not pile on the violations.