Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/522363
VOICES 12 | Overdrive | June 2015 What happened to the days when a stranded motorist could count on a trucker to stop to help? Or even bet- ter: The days a trucker could count on – gasp! – another trucker to stop with some assistance? Programs such as Highway Angel and the Goodyear North American Highway Hero effort make it clear that in highway emergencies, it's often truckers who respond first. But the less-threatening situations might tell a different story. Cue Kendall Dowdy of Owens- boro, Ky. The former owner-oper- ator/current reefer company driver "gelled up in South Dakota" when his engine stalled at night the day after Christmas during the frigid 2013-14 winter. Dowdy put on his four-ways and set the triangles. Though admittedly not many trucks were out, given the holiday, he watched as eight or so passed without so much as a peep on the CB. Dowdy hunkered down to stay warm, finally settling for $600 worth of road service. "There's no camaraderie any- more," he says. "Used to be a big happy family out here." A truck in trouble once prompted what Dowdy calls a veritable "circus" of activity with folks trying to help out. As he notes, "Times have changed." Everybody knows that stranded drivers have a cell phone, and with road service just a call away, it's tempting to just keep moving. A commenter at OverdriveOn- line.com, posting only as "Charlie," remembered the last truly good time he had with fellow drivers: "2007 at the TA near Baytown in Texas. The waitress mentioned it was fortunate the manager wasn't there, as he wouldn't like all the commotion. We were not obnoxious – we just laughed and told stories to each other. Today, you do every once in a while meet another fella to talk with or have a meal together, but for the most part, you are alone, together." He sold his truck in February and now operates a mower at a golf course. "Twenty-six years of safe accident-free driving left the indus- try with me. I really do miss the old days, but it has changed way too much to put up with the aggravation of the profession now." Good times still are to be had if drivers "pick up the mic and add some good," noted Harry S. Munster. "Insist on it. Stop and help a driver, and when you are being helped, let the world know, because this is how it works. Either you shun the crap, or you bury it with some goodness." Camaraderie: Where'd it go? Todd Dills Would more driver camaraderie result in fewer road service calls? What's your idea to improve drivers' sense of responsibility for others? Drop us a line via OverdriveOnline.com or call 530-408-6423 with a message. INSIST ON THE GOOD A month ago, I'm driving along and almost astounded at the con- versation on the radio. It was warm and friend- ly. Even inviting. People were talking about the pleasant things in their lives. People were advis- ing of dangers on the side of the road. What I noticed: It was this way because some- one insisted on it. Instead of insisting on being a bitter miserable person, they instead insisted on being a helpful person. What I noticed was that it rubbed off on other drivers. We decide in ourselves who we are going to be, and we cre- ate the atmosphere. — Harry S. Munster, via OverdriveOnline.com