Driven Women

Big bullies

GG—I was looking at a Web site that poses questions to

truckers, and what I read annoyed me. They asked what was the biggest problem facing truckers, and two responses mentioned the bad attitude of drivers, bashed what was said on the CB and took issue with truckers being big bullies on the road. I’ve only been driving for six months, but I’ll take harda@# driver attitudes versus the back-stabbing, cutthroat behavior of the corporate world I left behind.

Yes, the CB talk could be cleaner, but I can turn it off, change channels or ignore the jerks. As for truckers being bullies, I haven’t seen that much. I get treated like gold. Maybe it’s because I’m a woman, but I don’t see them running over four wheelers or blocking traffic, just for fun. I have had four-wheelers cut me off, tailgate and give me the finger. I think if truckers are being disrespectful, it is because they’re shown disrespect, and they are sick and tired of it.

Adrianne C., Los Lunas, NM

Let’s not turn this into a spitting contest, Adrianne. Truckers should set the tone of how to behave on the road and drive safely—we are the professionals. The bottom line is that we have no control over anyone else’s behaviors or perceptions, and we’re not always going to be treated fairly or rewarded for good behavior. Keep your side of the street clean and let others deal with their own issues.

If you’re losing patience, take a vacation, shorten your OTR time or think about a career change. Trucking is not a lifetime career option for everyone. Keep all 18 rolling safely,

GG

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You can e-mail Golden Girl at goldengirl@otrprotrucker.com or mail your letter to Over the Road Magazine, P.O. Box 549, Roswell, GA 30077-0549.