Transport trucks are not like other road vehicles. They are longer and heavier than other vehicles. They require up to 40 percent more space to stop. They are more difficult to maintain, and they are more challenging to drive. Motorists wonder whether their own presence in close contact with heavy trucks is adequately protected.
Motorists follow the media stories showing that trucks cause great harm when involved in collisions.
The public is aware of the many trucks failing roadside inspections and of drivers allegedly cheating on their logbooks. Now, there is a national grassroots association working to represent these public concerns and working to ensure that government actions respond to same. Its mission is to ensure that regulators also reflect public views when setting and applying norms for the operation of large trucks on our roads. It takes resources to be effective Public interest groups used to be able to count on governments to provide funding for their activities. This seldom happens today.