Pocono News Section

Trucks Versus Cars on Snowy Roads

Trucks Versus Cars on Snowy Roads - Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 4:15PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 @ 04:15pm EST
POCONO SUMMIT - With the type of weather that gives tow truck drivers extra work, many people wish one type of truck would just get off the road, tractor trailers.

"The problem is up here in the Poconos, the trucks are going much too fast," said George Lauscher of Pocono Summit. "They're passing all the vehicles. They're not using caution at all," said Joanne Barron of Pocono Summit." Andrew Tencza of New Jersey said, "They spray up a lot snow and it's pretty dangerous, especially for smaller cars."

Some of the truckers who spoke with Eyewitness News said they drive just fine. They believe the small cars are the problem.

Driver Jerry Shuman remarked, "Ninety percent of the wrecks are caused by cars." Jerry said cars often cut him off or follow too closely. He added he wishes he could stay home when the roads look bad but if he did, he wouldn't get paid. He explained, "I wouldn't make my truck payment, wouldn't be able to pay for the fuel or anything else. I got a family to support too."

Driver Joe Wood agreed he can't let snow put the brakes on his income but he did slow down during his trip to the Philadelphia area. "The speed limit's about 65 I was probably going as fast as 35 miles an hour today," he said.

Joe believes many truckers are responsible and all drivers have an equal responsibility to keep each other safe. He said, "We all need to work with each other out here. Respect each other. Let each other in and off the roadways."

Smart advice for driving in good or bad weather.