I have read an article in the Owner/Driver truckers' paper about "Grey Power Taking
Aim At Newell", as told to Brad Gardner by motorhome owner, Raymond Moore.
A "trucker" responded by placing a Post on The Grey Nomad website Forum last night in a very aggresive, offensive manner, attacking the members of the Forum.
Mr. Moore is not, to the best of my knowledge, a member of this Forum, and
his comments have reflected negatively on all grey nomads travelling around
this country.
Cindy has since closed the post, but I am hoping my post will enlighten all travellers, be they recreational or professional.

The editor
Owner/Driver
ACP Magazines

To whom it may concern.

RE: Owner/Driver Article Grey Power Takes Aim At Newell Feb 2010.

I am writing in response to the article in the February issue as told by Raymond
Moore.
A "trucker" responded by placing a Post on The Grey Nomad website Forum in a very offensive manner, attacking the spokesperson, Raymond Moore.
Mr. Moore is not, to the best of my knowledge, a member of this Forum, and his comments have reflected negatively on all grey nomads.

GREY POWER vs TRUCKERS

When trucks and motorist travel too slowly it interferes with all traffic flow, causes more impatience and stupid decisions, which lead to tragedy. Slowing the trucks down will not resolve the problems.
Recreational vehicle operators also need to understand the trucker, owner-driver or not, has work to do. They have their own pressures :-
Running the rig.
Finding the work.
Pick up and delivery schedules.
Ignorant motorists and traffic congestion.
Forcing them to slow down from 100KPH to 90KPH will only slow down the transportation of your produce to your supermarket shelf, or your snail mail to your letterbox
Installing a UHF radio and monitoring the truck network on Channel 40 will give drivers a clear colourful, but clear understanding of what goes on behind the cab and above all those wheels. While the language can be offensive at times, its much more informative, even educational, to listen to the actual content of the conversation. These businessmen also have issues.
Frequent referral to rear vision mirrors will also keep all motorists alert to whats behind them. I have had many near misses because the driver in front of me has not used the rear vision mirror.
I tug a 20ft full van with an 80 Series Landcruiser all around Australia, and my mirrors are my best friends. Not for touching up my lipstick, but to keep an eye on whats following me. I monitor the traffic behind me such as :-
What type of vehicles cars, trucks, motor cycles.
How many vehicles may be banked up behind.
If there are any vehicles held up because Im towing I start looking for a safe spot to pull over, or an overtaking lane.
As soon as I see a semi in my rear view mirrors, left and/or right, I call them up on the UHF, acknowledge Ive seen them, give them my approximate speed at the time, and advise them of my intentions to call them through when its safe to overtake.
The response to my actions has been courteous, even friendly. In fact I get the impression the truck drivers are ever so relieved Ive even seen them in my mirrors.
Simple courtesy, constant observation and attention will avoid some of these tensions between truck drivers and recreational vehicle motorists. The truckers spend their lives on the road to earn a living. They are not taking a holiday in the rig.
Recreational vehicle operators, motor home or caravan are on RECREATION, while trucks are on the road to efficiently and safely earn a living.
Motorists overtake semi-trailers and pull in too short, forcing the truck driver to slam on the brakes to avert a disaster which could include running over the smaller vehicle and causing the semi-rig to brake heavily, jack knife and/or roll over, maybe taking out other motorists with it.
Nose to tail convoys of recreational vehicles cause similar problems for all motorists. They block or slow all traffic behind, leaving no space for anyone to overtake them.
It takes a lot of power to wind up the truck to overtake, and a lot of space to pull in between or in front of the vehicle it has passed.
Motorists must also be aware of the length of a semi, b-double, double or triple road-train. It takes much more distance to get around and leave enough safe distance between the smaller vehicle and the truck.
Tail-gating is another issue. The driver of a vehicle may attempt to leave enough braking space between their vehicle and the one in front, then some impatient, selfish, inconsiderate motorist jams themselves into the safe space and creates a dilemma for all other motorists.
The truckers do not climb up into the cab everyday to take their revenge out on recreational vehicle and other motorists. They are in there to make a living, many spending more time in the cab than in the comfort of their own home with their spouse and family.
Truckers carry this country on their wheels and deserve much more respect and support than they receive from other motorists, their own industry and the Governments.
When you next come into view of a trucker, give him or her the windscreen wave.