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And CleanMPG does not endorse close drafting either (http://www.truckline.com/NR/exeres/1F4B959C-7C6E-46CA-A1C8-7A7A019669C6.htm)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Peterbilt_386_hybrid_truck.jpgAmerican Trucking Association - June 11, 2007

CleanMPG DOES NOT endorse driving in the "No Zone" (see this illustration (http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/519/blindspot_overhead_1_.gif)) - Ed

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The American Trucking Associations is urging automobile drivers to avoid the dangerous practice of tailgating heavy trucks in efforts to increase fuel economy. The nation’s largest trucking industry trade group also is advising fleet safety directors to warn their drivers and owner-operators about the resurgence of this dangerous practice among automobile drivers, known as “drafting.”

“Drafting” involves driving a car very close behind a truck to use the reduction of wind resistance to reduce the amount of energy needed to propel the auto.

“Few driving behaviors are more dangerous on our highways than drafting,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “Drivers who practice this unsafe behavior are often out of the field of vision of the truck driver and are unable to see around the truck. ‘Drafting’ is unsafe, illegal and significantly increases the chances of injury and death. This practice compromises the safety of everyone on the nation’s highways and must not be considered a viable means of extending fuel mileage.” … http://www.truckline.com/NR/exeres/1F4B959C-7C6E-46CA-A1C8-7A7A019669C6.htm

wayne.........perhaps you would like to contact the person named in the article? i personally am thinking of going into hiding......or the witness protection program....or hibernation.......or getting an F150 badge to replace the one on my car.........:p

Due to the recent articles on hypermiling, much has been said about drafting big-rigs. Frankly this has been overblown as a public safety hazard. By this, I mean (1) the number of people that practice this, (2) the frequency by those who do. You can get killed just like you could being struck by lighting or a meteor, but it's more likely it will be something else.

I told the forum at The Tennessean I not only don't close draft on my work commute thru Dallas, the traffic is way too heavy to do it long enough to benefit, not to mention the more obvious fact it would be sucidial. On another occasion, I recently told another reporter the same and stressed that. The wake of an 18-wheeler is so big it's possible to be in view of the trucker and still benefit from the air his rig pushes aside.

For various reasons, some want to charactarize hypermilers as reckless drivers that frequently close draft 18-wheelers - public roadway enemy #1. While we know this is an absurd distortion, we need to communicate to the public by example and in forums it simply is not true.

Due to the recent articles on hypermiling, much has been said about drafting big-rigs. Frankly this has been overblown as a public safety hazard. By this, I mean (1) the number of people that practice this, (2) the frequency by those who do. You can get killed just like you could being struck by lighting or a meteor, but it's more likely it will be something else.

I told the forum at The Tennessean I not only don't close draft on my work commute thru Dallas, the traffic is way too heavy to do it long enough to benefit, not to mention the more obvious fact it would be sucidial. On another occasion, I recently told another reporter the same and stressed that. The wake of an 18-wheeler is so big it's possible to be in view of the trucker and still benefit from the air his rig pushes aside.

For various reasons, some want to charactarize hypermilers as reckless drivers that frequently close draft 18-wheelers - public roadway enemy #1. While we know this is an absurd distortion, we need to communicate to the public by example and in forums it simply is not true.

i think the reporter that originally wrote the article perhaps put more emphasis on that technique than should have been. and then it's blown all out of proportion as tends to happen when things like this spread. i was going to send an answer, but couldn't find an email or contact address anywhere on the site.

sigh

....i was going to send an answer, but couldn't find an email or contact address anywhere on the site.

sigh

Different site with same article: http://www.trucknews.com/issues/ISarticle.asp?id=69952

Hi Laurie:

___We have been going hot and heavy on this in the mod forum before Chuck posted this … Good to get it out there. Anyone coming to our site knows what we stand for and these guys just don’t get it … Here is how I have responded to (2) News Articles on it so far …

******************************************************

___I sent the following to the Today’s Trucking Online and Today’s Trucking editor(s):

Hello Sirs:

What you reported about Hypermiling is definitely in error. We do not promote close-in drafting. We do however promote traffic side, distant and surf as anyone in Chicago where I reside does everyday. What I wish you would promote however is your readers to follow the speed limits as this is by far the most dangerous aspect of my daily commute given I am in the far right lane at or between the speed limits. You can imagine the thousands of truck drivers I see pass by everyday without a care for the speed limits. Feel free to contact me at your convenience wrt the erroneous statements you have published in the following: ATA issues warning on 'hypermiling' - 06/08/2007

Good Luck to you.

Wayne Gerdes
Owner/Admin CleanMPG.com
Cel: …
Home: …

___And

___I have tried to contact the lady who published this non-sense from the ATA:

http://www.truckline.com/NR/exeres/1...7A019669C6.htm

___And

___Open and honest is the best method imho. And I draft when the odd 58 mph truck heads our way. Which is never ... or should I say almost never :angel:

___3 seconds following distance is what really set me off. Where in the world do truck drivers leave 3 seconds in front of them let alone everyone else besides the 10 over they drive up and down I-294 and I-55 here in Chicago day in and day out? Have these people ever even seen a truck drive through Chicago let alone the tens of thousands that do so on a daily basis? I am bringing the camera along with me and its time to take some shots of the way these guys really drive let alone those of us that prefer the speed limit ... I encourage everyone else to do the same.

******************************************************

___The ATA lady is not in yet but I will speak with her eventually …

___Good Luck

___Wayne

It was Dan that first mentioned this in a phone call Sunday, and I followed up with a Google search.

While we're at it, perhaps the big rig drivers could do the same for us. I was drafted quite closely last night while driving my Prius by a big rig. It was on an Interstate that was reduced to one lane in each direction for road work, with a 45 mph speed limit. Even at 50 mph, I was being tailgated by a big rig.

Truck drivers, if you don't like drafting, don't do it to us! You won't get there any faster, or save any diesel by drafting a Prius.

Harry

PS: a few minutes earlier, I had to jack the brakes to avoid hitting a deer, which are a plague in these parts. I don't fancy having to brake for a deer when there is a 60,000 lb. vehicle right behind me, and I have nowhere to swerve!

While we're at it, perhaps the big rig drivers could do the same for us. I was drafted quite closely last night while driving my Prius by a big rig. It was on an Interstate that was reduced to one lane in each direction for road work, with a 45 mph speed limit. Even at 50 mph, I was being tailgated by a big rig.

Truck drivers, if you don't like drafting, don't do it to us! You won't get there any faster, or save any diesel by drafting a Prius.

Harry

PS: a few minutes earlier, I had to jack the brakes to avoid hitting a deer, which are a plague in these parts. I don't fancy having to brake for a deer when there is a 60,000 lb. vehicle right behind me, and I have nowhere to swerve!

i totally agree with you on that. on my drive to work i can't count the number of times i have been looking into the grill of a truck right behind me, hoping he has enough room to get around, which they do as if they are driving a car. pretty darn scary.

this whole thing is crazy. first we get accused of holding up traffic.......then of drafting on trucks. we can't do both!!! and i have never seen a truck doing 60 in the right lane, so what the heck???

I think the Mother Jones article a few months ago started out like this:

"Drafting 18-wheelers with the engine off, taking death turns at 52 miles an hour, and other lessons learned while riding shotgun with the king of the hypermilers"

I remember when the link to this article got posted in a website called "Lifehacker", most of the negative comments were from people who picked on the drafting part ignoring all the other good stuff.

A month back I was riding on the DC beltway where the beltway and I-95 split. I was in the right most lane in the part of the road that would continue as the beltway. This truck who was behind me harassed me for about a mile since that was his left most lane in the part that would become 95 only. He had two more lanes on his right hand side, but he would not change to them. He kept honking all the way till the roads split, all because I was doing 55 mph, the speed limit. I guess I could have moved to the left, but did not see any reason why I should.

I am definitely not saying all truckers are this way. Just one of those who was perhaps having a bad day.

“Few driving behaviors are more dangerous on our highways than drafting”

LOL, lets make a list, since they didn't:
Aggressive Driving
Speeding
Talking on a cell phone while driving
Doing other things like putting on make up while driving
Tailgating (not to be confused with drafting)
Drinking and driving

This is just off the top of my head, feel free to add. Also, I agree, close-in drafting is not worth the $$. I will follow semis with adequate distance, however, in the right conditions.

....Truck drivers, if you don't like drafting, don't do it to us! You won't get there any faster, or save any diesel by drafting a Prius....


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Truck_Drafting_Insight.jpg

Like this? :D

Between us, we all know that we are frequently tailgated by truckers and they have much risky behaviours than us. We also know that the mainstream will hardly trade a bit of their current habits for the future generations. The resistance is and will be very high. Our representative have to carefully choose the words they use. So far what I heard/read was totally great. In a way, it is a good news, it is the proof that we disturb. The car and oil industries are going to work very hard to propagate negative messages about hypermiling. And the reaction will increase with increase of the popularity of hypermilling. This site is certainly under monitoring (Sorry it’s confused, I had a bit of trouble to translate my thinking:o)).

Pierre

ps. Spielberg was a visionnary with the movie "Duel". Remember, the hypermiler won. :D

Like this? :D

Ha, great picture. A picture worth 10000 words. Pierre

Delta Flyer: During a glide, it's a bad idea to get out of your Insight and walk behind it just to take pictures.
If that truck were to bump the Insight, you'd never catch up to it.
On the other hand, pilotless driving may be the next frontier for saving vehicle weight.
:)
--Walter
PS Nice picture however you got it.

[QUOTE=Walter;32205]Delta Flyer: During a glide, it's a bad idea to get out of your Insight and walk behind it just to take pictures.
If that truck were to bump the Insight, you'd never catch up to it.
On the other hand, pilotless driving may be the next frontier for saving vehicle weight.


ROFL!:driveby1:

That was in low-speed bumper-to-bumper traffic - low risk of collision. ;)

bill graves, listed as president, also lists this in his bio. interesting. they might know something about drafting:

In addition to his duties at ATA, Gov. Graves serves on the board of the International Speedway Corporation, the leading promoter of motor sport racing in America.

[QUOTE=owlmaster08;32196LOL, lets make a list, since they didn't:
Aggressive Driving
Speeding
Talking on a cell phone while driving
Doing other things like putting on make up while driving
Tailgating (not to be confused with drafting)
Drinking and driving
[/QUOTE]

Not using seatbelts
Riding a motorcycle in a T-shirt and shorts
Watching TV
Using a laptop

Not using seatbelts
Riding a motorcycle in a T-shirt and shorts
Watching TV
Using a laptop

reading the paper/map

I dodged at least one "fresh alligator" on the way out to
Hybridfest last year, and the fact that I was maybe a
quarter-mile behind the spawner thereof made it much easier
than having to duck as the thing smashed its way in through
my windshield. Now, should I take any small, vindictive
pleasure if I see it, vector gracefully around it, and the
idiot following *me* way too close hits the thing because
he couldn't see it laying there past me??
.
I also found that I do *better* not drafting trucks because
I'm much smoother in responding to terrain, instead of doing
a manic-depressive dance back there trying to respond to short-
term changes in what the truck is doing.
.
_H*

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Truck_Drafting_Insight.jpg

Like this? :D

Very much like the photo, except picture it with the concrete barrier just left of the edge line (no shoulder) and only one lane in each direction, 11:00 p.m., and very dark, with deer everywhere!

Harry

I'm seriously considering a scrolling LED sign for the small vertical window in the rear of the Insight. One with preprogrammed messages available at the touch of a button. One of those messages would be, "Back off, or I dial 911..."

i totally agree with you on that. on my drive to work i can't count the number of times i have been looking into the grill of a truck right behind me, hoping he has enough room to get around, which they do as if they are driving a car. pretty darn scary.There is lots of talk on PC Mod thread about neat things you can do with the Prius Backup camera. One of them is to flip it on without being in Reverse. An extension of this might be to record the feed from the backup camera at will. I gotta tell ya, it would be awfully fun to have a hot key to recored who's behind me. The speed of the lane stripes wizzing by would give an indication of speed and hopefully the resolution would be good enough to pull the plates.

For those without backup cameras, it's actually easier. You can buy a license plate holder that has a camera in it ($50 I think), then you feed it directly into a recording system (handy cam / laptop / smart phone).

Burn to DVD and mail to DPS (CHiPs for the SoCal folks)

Done!

Man now I've got to get that mod started :D

11011011

I tell ya, "truckspotting" has to become a popular motorsport.
Teams of two, a camera, a cellphone, maybe some kind of mobile
internet link to look up shipping company dispatchers. We need
to start putting the fear of public wrath into these *******s.
.
I called one in on my way back from NJ on monday -- some 24
footer from a meat packing company, about half a car length
from a Bug in the next lane. Had a very pleasant and professional
conversation with their fleet manager while screaming down the
approach to the Tappan Zee, and still had time to end the call
and dig out the toll money while this clown vanished off in the
distance, racing toward his pink slip.
.
Zero tolerance. No mercy. The dispatchers are on OUR side.
.
_H*

I still had time to end the call
and dig out the toll money while this clown vanished off in the
distance, racing toward his pink slip.
.
Zero tolerance. No mercy. The dispatchers are on OUR side.
.
_H*

:Banane35:

well done!!!

...We need
to start putting the fear of public wrath into these *******s....

I hear you, Hobbit.

One of these guys actually had the above epithet on his custom licence plate a few years back. :(:mad::rolleyes:


For nearly two weeks, I've found a lot less tailgating with my emergency flashers on. It's really reduced my stress level driving, and very likely does the same by cluing others to just go ahead and pass.

I've found a lot less tailgating with my emergency flashers on. It's really reduced my stress level driving, and very likely does the same by cluing others to just go ahead and pass.

Definitely works for me too. Especially for keeping speeding semis off my rear bumper. How about putting H-flashers into the list of hypermiling techniques, at least for multi-lane roads? As I've said before, they work best when flipped on when the truck is still at least 1/4 mile back.

Agreed, on adding it to the list of hypermiling techniques, lightfoot.

The ATA can say what it wants about drafting, but from what I saw on a 100 mile stretch of I-80 in rural eastern Iowa today there are a lot of truck drivers who systematically use this fuel saving technique. I saw three pairs of semi-rigs doing close-in drafting (sub 1-second)in light traffic. One of the pairs was holding only about a .5 second gap. In two of the three pairs both trucks were from the same company.

Draw your own conclusions about the wisdom and honesty of the ATA.

While it's still technically unsafe, it's probably a little
different when trucks do it to each other. In that case they
are probably 1> communicating, 2> agreeing on a nominal speed,
and 3> more sensitive to changing conditions that might cause
the line to want to break up for safety reasons. I.e. not on
the phone and paying lots of attention to what's going on. The
airflow over the net group probably *is* significantly
improved.
.
_H*

The ATA can say what it wants about drafting, but from what I saw on a 100 mile stretch of I-80 in rural eastern Iowa today there are a lot of truck drivers who systematically use this fuel saving technique. I saw three pairs of semi-rigs doing close-in drafting (sub 1-second)in light traffic. One of the pairs was holding only about a .5 second gap. In two of the three pairs both trucks were from the same company.

Draw your own conclusions about the wisdom and honesty of the ATA.


I've seen similar, now that I think about it...Nice observation.

Another trucker's site basically reposted > http://www.layover.com/news/article/ata-to-auto-drivers-avoid-drafting-big-trucks-11174.html

Our repost: we are not promoting it.

Hi Chuck:

___I received and replied to the ATA who I have tried to contact via E-Mail in the very recent past ;)

Good afternoon Clayton:

I have not received any contact other then this E-Mail so feel free to contact me at my home (847) xxx-xxxx.

As for recommending tailgating truckers, you are absolutely incorrect. I did receive photos of one of your trucks exceeding the local speed limits out on the local Interstate however. If you would like to take offense to this action, feel free to contact me at your leisure.

Good Luck

Wayne

________________________________________
From: Clayton Boyce [mailto:cboyce@trucking.org]
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 1:10 PM
To: waynegerdes@
Subject: cleanmpg.com

Mr. Gerdes:
We have tried to contact you, as has the chief executive officer of C.R. England trucking company. Your website has photos of the company’s trucks, with its copyrighted logo.

My purpose in contacting you is to request that remove from your website your advice that motorists tailgate tractor-trailers. Mr. England is trying to reach you to request that you remove the photos of the C.R. England truck.

Please call or email if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Clayton W. Boyce
Vice President of Public Affairs and Press Secretary
American Trucking Associations
Office: 703-838-7902
Cell: 703-408-3716
Fax: 703-838-1936
cboyce@trucking.org
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
*Note: ATA is moving July 9 to
950 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 210
Arlington, VA, 22203-4181

NOTICE: This e-mail message and any attachments to it contain confidential information and are intended
solely for the use of the individual(s) or entities to which it is addressed. If you are not the
intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that you are prohibited from reviewing, retransmitting, converting
to hard copy, copying, disseminating, or otherwise using in any manner this e-mail or any attachments to it.

If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete
it from your computer.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hum...Looks like a little bit of sparring is going on to me.

Hi OwlMaster08:

___Interesting to say the least. I should have asked if this guy ever speeds too :rolleyes:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Don't you just love it when someone's adjenda gives them deaf ears? :rolleyes:

A hospital I once worked for had someone terminated for a cut-and-dry insubordination. He got six monts pay after his attorney threatened to check if one of their 6,500 employees were ever discriminated. Heck, we stated our official policy against drafting.

Your website has photos of the company’s trucks, with its copyrighted logo.

I don't know what this veiled threat is about. I believe the content of this website qualifies as news and that therefore pictures of anything may be posted for journalistic purposes. There is no copyright infringement as long as the photos are not used in an ad.

Maybe tell him that if he makes sure his trucks don't speed or tailgate cars or other trucks, then pictures of them won't be posted here!

This DOES seem to be an effective way to get their attention.

I saw two trucks drafting each other just yesterday - in the rain.

As far as I know, we do not have pictures of CR England trucks.

Hmmm....wonder if my pictures last summer of the 15 Beamers with the Susan G. Komen logo are going to write?....this is nonsense.

Three pictures of England trucks in the "hows & whys" article.

Commuting home tonight at about 6:20pm, doing 50mph (the limit) eastbound on I-95 in East Haven, CT. Just out of the 40mph part of the construction zone, just past a 50mph sign. Minding my business in the right lane of three, and a semi comes by in the middle lane and blasts his horn at me. Darned if it wasn't a C.R. England tractor with that attractive copyrighted logo on it!! Hauling a Sorrento's trailer. I didn't see his number and wasn't about to spoil my mpg by chasing him to get it.

Normally semis around here are polite and don't bother me. Maybe C.R. gives them special lessons.

Hi Lightfoot:
Commuting home tonight at about 6:20pm, doing 50mph (the limit) eastbound on I-95 in East Haven, CT. Just out of the 40mph part of the construction zone, just past a 50mph sign. Minding my business in the right lane of three and a semi comes by in the middle lane and blasts his horn at me. Darned if it wasn't a C.R. England tractor with that attractive copyrighted logo on it!! Hauling a Sorrento's trailer. I didn't see his number and wasn't about to spoil my mpg by chasing him to get it.

Normally semis around here are polite and don't bother me. Maybe C.R. gives them special lessons.___That was a great sighting. To bad you didn’t have a camera ;)

___Oh, and the ATA guy didn’t call for some reason? I wonder how hard they were trying to get a hold of me :rolleyes:

___Good Luck

___Wayne

This was a bad day to misplace my camera - US75/George Bush Tollway mixmaster was bottlenecked with an overturned 18-wheeler, then another one wrecked on the tollway....from IRLM Boston (maybe Hobbit knows them). Just waiting to see if any hit-and-glide hypermilers were blamed. :p

Hi

Mr. Gerdes:
We have tried to contact you, as has the chief executive officer of C.R. England trucking company. Your website has photos of the company’s trucks, with its copyrighted logo.

My purpose in contacting you is to request that remove from your website your advice that motorists tailgate tractor-trailers. Mr. England is trying to reach you to request that you remove the photos of the C.R. England truck.

Please call or email if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Clayton W. Boyce
Vice President of Public Affairs and Press Secretary
American Trucking Associations
Office: 703-838-7902
Cell: 703-408-3716
Fax: 703-838-1936
cboyce@trucking.org
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
*Note: ATA is moving July 9 to
950 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 210
Arlington, VA, 22203-4181


___Good Luck

___Wayne

This e-mail might help some people conclude that Clayton and "the CEO of C.R. England" don't have enough to do with their time. Bad publicity usually ensues when you try to get in pissing matches with people who obviously are behaving with good intentions. It makes for bad business. I would expect more publicity savvy from people in their positions.

now that we have his email, i have been composing a letter to him in my head all day.........probably would be just peeing in the wind........:(

I don't think there's enough here to get a reporter interested _yet_. Wayne seems to be setting a good tone as well as sticking to his guns. Keep up the good work. Remember as a rule you should verify people/company's opinions requests on a first hand basis not based on the word of a PR rep for a distinct organization. Maybe the ATA guy is just full of malarky (a common affliction in PR), note that he did not even name the CEO of C.R. England, Gene England. Perhaps Mr. England should be contacted to avoid a misiunderstanding.

Isn't going too slow with your 4way blinkers on illegal without an emergency situation of some sort?

Isn't going too slow with your 4way blinkers on illegal without an emergency situation of some sort?

Well, most of the time "too slow" and "emergency" are judgement calls. I believe that you can only legally violate speed limits (minimum or maximum)in cases of emergency. I believe the four ways are used simply to indicate a hazard, for example a vehicle moving slower than the normal flow of traffic or highway workers pausing to remove roadkill from the highway.

Should speeders also be using their 4 ways since that also represents a hazard?

Well, most of the time "too slow" and "emergency" are judgement calls. I believe that you can only legally violate speed limits (minimum or maximum)in cases of emergency. I believe the four ways are used simply to indicate a hazard, for example a vehicle moving slower than the normal flow of traffic or highway workers pausing to remove roadkill from the highway.
Truckers certainly use flashers all the time when grinding up a hill, sometimes under the minimum limit but sometimes above it. The minimum here is 40 on I-95 and I try to stay at 50 or above. I use flashers only when I see a semi coming up behind me in the right lane, and try to do it while he is far back to help him merge into the passing lane.

Should speeders also be using their 4 ways since that also represents a hazard?
Good point. In Europe I believe speeding cars use their left turn blinker, and I occasionally see that done here.

Hi FocusGuy77:

Isn't going too slow with your 4way blinkers on illegal without an emergency situation of some sort?
___When did following the speed limits out on the Interstates become to slow? I have never heard of the E-Blinkers being illegal under any circumstances but have used them for what appears to be the occasional 75 + mph driver coming up in the right hand lane on a 55 mph limited roadway. On back roads, all the time and especially during clinics!

___A little follow up by our friend from the ATA with a little more moderation then his previous reply …

************************************************

Mr. Gerdes:

I called your home today and got a fax machine. The earlier contact I was referring to was an email to your website. Someone called here in reply and left a message but not a phone number.

I do not expect that we are going to agree on this matter, but I also do not feel that we have to argue about it.

I will ask you to take down the description and photos on drafting, and, I expect, you would decline to do so. That is your right. I cannot force you to take them down.

I would ask though that you please consider blurring out the name of the company that is on the back of the truck. One of our members owns that truck, and the name of the company is his father’s name.

As a courtesy to him, I would appreciate if you could blur the name or take new photos of a truck that has no name on the back.

I can blur out the name for you if you would like.

Thank you for considering this.

As for the speeding truck, this is a problem that we regret. We continuously encourage law enforcement agencies to enforce traffic and other regulations against drivers so that trucking will be safer as a result.

We have also petitioned the federal government to require that all new semi tractors have speed governors set at 68 mph when they leave the factory to reduce the incidence of speeding. We also petitioned the government to make tampering with the speed governors a crime. We would prefer that the governors be set lower than 68 mph, but there are states with higher speed limits and some argue that have different speed limits for cars and trucks is a safety hazard in itself.

Despite our disagreement on drafting, I want you to know that I appreciate and respect what you are doing to save fuel. Saving diesel fuel is one of the reasons that most of the large trucking companies who are members of ATA already limit their speeds to 68 mph or below. We are doing many other things as well, including using biodiesel, increasing the aerodynamics of trucks and trailers and using auxiliary power generators instead of idling the truck’s large diesel engine for power, heating and cooling in a parked cab.

Sincerely,

Clay
Clayton W. Boyce
Vice President of Public Affairs and Press Secretary
American Trucking Associations
Office: 703-838-7902
Cell: 703-408-3716
Fax: 703-838-1936
cboyce@trucking.org
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
*Note: ATA is moving July 9 to
950 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 210
Arlington, VA, 22203-4181

************************************************

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Isn't going too slow with your 4way blinkers on illegal without an emergency situation of some sort?

I know in some mountainous areas there will be signs that sign vehicles going slower than XX speed MUST use blinkers.

Wayne,

It appears he is being pretty reasonable now, or at least he's playing to be. Those are some good ideas hes throwing out. Keep us updated if anything else happens.

Jon

Mr. Gerdes:

I called your home today and got a fax machine. The earlier contact I was referring to was an email to your website. Someone called here in reply and left a message but not a phone number.

I do not expect that we are going to agree on this matter, but I also do not feel that we have to argue about it.

I will ask you to take down the description and photos on drafting, and, I expect, you would decline to do so. That is your right. I cannot force you to take them down.

I would ask though that you please consider blurring out the name of the company that is on the back of the truck. One of our members owns that truck, and the name of the company is his father’s name.

As a courtesy to him, I would appreciate if you could blur the name or take new photos of a truck that has no name on the back.

I can blur out the name for you if you would like.

Thank you for considering this.

As for the speeding truck, this is a problem that we regret. We continuously encourage law enforcement agencies to enforce traffic and other regulations against drivers so that trucking will be safer as a result.

We have also petitioned the federal government to require that all new semi tractors have speed governors set at 68 mph when they leave the factory to reduce the incidence of speeding. We also petitioned the government to make tampering with the speed governors a crime. We would prefer that the governors be set lower than 68 mph, but there are states with higher speed limits and some argue that have different speed limits for cars and trucks is a safety hazard in itself.

Despite our disagreement on drafting, I want you to know that I appreciate and respect what you are doing to save fuel. Saving diesel fuel is one of the reasons that most of the large trucking companies who are members of ATA already limit their speeds to 68 mph or below. We are doing many other things as well, including using biodiesel, increasing the aerodynamics of trucks and trailers and using auxiliary power generators instead of idling the truck’s large diesel engine for power, heating and cooling in a parked cab.

Sincerely,

Clay
Clayton W. Boyce
Vice President of Public Affairs and Press Secretary
American Trucking Associations
Office: 703-838-7902
Cell: 703-408-3716
Fax: 703-838-1936
cboyce@trucking.org
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
*Note: ATA is moving July 9 to
950 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 210
Arlington, VA, 22203-4181

************************************************

___Good Luck

___Wayne


Wayne,
I was glad to see that Mr. Boyce has become quite reasonable about this. It looks like they are trying to make a difference with thier organization. Why not take this to the next logical step where CMPG and the ATA combine forces to promote fuel savings among the trucking community. I would love to learn more about the FE of the 18 wheelers and it would be interesting to see how FE would change wrt speed. It would also be great if we had mileage logs for 18 wheelers. Just think how much fuel could be saved.

I have to say that in the million plus miles that I have driven over my lifetime, I have always respected and been comfortable around 18 wheelers. That is because, in the areas that I have done most of my driving, the 18 wheelers drive slower than most. Yes, there are some drivers that are obnoxious and dangerous, but that number pales in comparison to the SUV drivers that careen from lane to lane in an effort to get in front of everyone else on the road.

I tend to drive at, or 5 MPH below the speed limit on the Interstates. I have noticed over the past several years that the most conservative truck drivers on the roads are the ones who drive for Walmart. The honorable mention goes to J.B. Hunt. Maybe it would be a good place to start to target organizations that have shown restraint and courtesy towards others on the road. This behavior should be encouraged.:cool:

...Why not take this to the next logical step where CMPG and the ATA combine forces to promote fuel savings among the trucking community...

Yes, I agree with this. Promote the fuel saving and maybe promote the existence of the reality of the hypermiling. Sensitize the truck drivers that we are here to stay, we are not moonstruck drivers. On our side, we understand that meeting a hypermiler can cut momentum and cost fuel to return to the previous speed when possible. Clearly, if ATA make the promotion of the fuel saving as he wrote, they should clearly promote the good behavior of truckers when meeting a hypermilers or/and anybody driving at a speed lower than the actual average. However, yes we should try to turn it into collaboration and not confrontation.

I agree, I trust most of the time much more 18 wheels drivers than 4X4 SUV drivers.

Pierre

...As for the speeding truck, this is a problem that we regret...

Hi Wayne,

I went to their site after my previous post and there is no change. The June 7 press release is still there. You/We should require them to post on their site in the press release section, something saying that Truckers tailgating a car hypermilers or not is a reality and is not acceptable. Just to re-establish the facts as they are

Pierre

Hi FocusGuy77:




___A little follow up by our friend from the ATA with a little more moderation then his previous reply …

************************************************

Mr. Gerdes:

.............

I do not expect that we are going to agree on this matter, but I also do not feel that we have to argue about it.

I will ask you to take down the description and photos on drafting, and, I expect, you would decline to do so. That is your right. I cannot force you to take them down.

I would ask though that you please consider blurring out the name of the company that is on the back of the truck. One of our members owns that truck, and the name of the company is his father’s name.

As a courtesy to him, I would appreciate if you could blur the name or take new photos of a truck that has no name on the back.

I can blur out the name for you if you would like.

Thank you for considering this.

.......

Despite our disagreement on drafting, I want you to know that I appreciate and respect what you are doing to save fuel. Saving diesel fuel is one of the reasons that most of the large trucking companies who are members of ATA already limit their speeds to 68 mph or below. We are doing many other things as well, including using biodiesel, increasing the aerodynamics of trucks and trailers and using auxiliary power generators instead of idling the truck’s large diesel engine for power, heating and cooling in a parked cab.

Sincerely,

Clay
Clayton W. Boyce
......

************************************************

___Good Luck

___Wayne

It sounds like the guy might be trying to work with you a little. There is probably some common ground to be shared. If he wants to blur the England name for you, I think I would let him. Since he has been kind enough to offer pretty specific guidance about what he thinks your website should offer, you might offer to rephrase his June 7 press release to more accurately reflect what goes on here and emphasize that the problem is tailgating as opposed to drafting per se.

On the side notes that he raised 1) you might ask him if there is a movement afoot to mandate plug-in availability for use at highway rest areas and truck stops and 2) if he thinks that the companies that use satellite tracking should be required to shut down truckers that speed.

Hi All:

___I added the blurred name pics to the How’s and Why’s article as a signal of good faith but have not yet come up with an appropriate response in order to convert this individual and his industry to begin to save fuel for all our sakes. If anyone would like to help with a short draft of their own, by all means, let us try and get these OTR drivers onboard.

___Here in the Chicago area, it is the UPS drivers that are saving by the boatload. I have seen a few FedEx drivers begin the slow down although there are still many doing 65 + in the right and center lanes still. The worst offenders (en mass) have to be the union car haulers. Those SoB’s are always moving at 65 - 70 + in the right and center lanes. This is 55 mph limited Interstates of course.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Many trucking co's now use real time satellite tracking technology. Some of the dump truck cos. I work with are Big Brotherish about their drivers' behavior. It wouldn't surprise me if Walmart and UPS tracked truck speed and disciplined drivers who habitually speed.

Hi All:

___I added the blurred name pics to the How’s and Why’s article as a signal of good faith but have not yet come up with an appropriate response in order to convert this individual and his industry to begin to save fuel for all our sakes.

My two cents: mention that you have modified this website and ask him in return to update his to reflect that we don't tailgate and add a link to cleanmpg. Plus what krousdb and ILaveo suggested. Maybe we can work together to bring a bit of sanity back to the highways.

Hey Wayne,

Nice photoshopping. I can't even tell that there was a name on the back previously.

Jon

We will probably have to settle for them cooling off, but that's an acceptable outcome..