Reporter Here:

Hi, I write for a news outlet, the Seattle P.I.

I've seen over the last few years a few truckers in small groups driving on Interstate 5 who were driving with excessive speed and unusually aggressive behavior. They used the HOV lanes to pass, and appeared to be actually racing each other, but the few faces I've seen were truck drivers who were smiling or talking and didn't seem upset.

These trucks go onto the emergency lanes, HOV lanes, tailgate harshly, honk at drivers, and don't even signal when changing lanes. They all had trucks with obviously "recent" branding and the company names do not check out anywhere on the West Coast. They seem to be covert. It's fairly odd, because I'd think a covert truck run would want to NOT garner attention by reckless driving. Or am I missing something?

I'd appreciate any information you can give me to help me research this. There is no information available anywhere that I've been able to dig up, and I suspect contract military or high-level corporate activity, such that these drivers clearly are not worried about getting into trouble.

However, I really have no solid leads, and I'd like to know if the truckers here have any input. I hate to write any story without adequate research.

There are some reporters who work at some papers who still care about printing facts.

Please reply to my email address. "demopoly" using gmail, if you'd like to remain anonymous. I'll read any posts in this thread. Thank you!

 

Your hostility is misplaced. I never said I haven't contacted authorities, and I haven't said that I'm attacking anyone. I have spoken firsthand with WA state patrol, and they are rather curious too, as I expected. If anyone delivers evidence into my hands I would turn it over to them.

I think you're misunderstanding the elements of "research." The first step is to gather data, THEN form a hypothesis. My tentative hypothesis is poorly formed because I have almost no data to rely on. I will form new theories when I get more information.

A. I have no authority to beat anyone with. I can't do anything to a driver by writing a piece about them or the company. I write frequently about transportation issues, and this could be one. Or, it might not be.

B. I've held various driving licenses over the years. I am not anti-trucker. It is my goal by 2015 to obtain a decommissioned military APC and use it for recreation in WA and OR states, as I love amphibious vehicles and trucking. APCs are both, and I'll need a special license to drive a four-axle 20K+ lb vehicle. The insurance is the largest obstacle! $$$$

C. If I knew the companies, I would not need to write here asking for them. The company labels on the trucks appear to be fatuous, which leads me to believe that they could be intended to deflect attention. I call that covert. There might be a better word for it.

I hope this helps salve your concerns. If anyone else has any such concerns please do address them in this thread so I can respond.

 

You bring up some interesting points. I am not lacking in sympathy for the plight of the owner-operator, or contract drivers, or employed drivers.

My father and one of my uncles are truckers. My ex sweetheart from HS is a trucker. She saw her business crash in Idaho and moved to Colorado because of trucking issues which were systemic with the state of Idaho.

As I said, I write about transportation issues.

Something that WA state has a serious problem with; WA has no truck routes. There isn't a single dedicated truck route anywhere in the state. California has them, and automobiles get ticketed if they use them.

I'm leaning towards an opinion that WA seriously needs a truck route deflecting through or around Seattle. I've even sent a series of maps, traffic maps, and flow data to the king county council of DOT, recommending a route that I think truckers would prefer.

If I have a bias, it is hands-down in your favor.

I used to be a poor, angry, hard working slavishly dedicated employee. I hated how badly I was treated so I got a BA degree. I remember "flashing" into anger on the road when people cut me off, but apart from pounding and swearing, I didn't react. I knew it's bad to seek conflict on the road. Since my lifestyle changed, I haven't had any anger issues, and I learned from a post-graduate class on psychology that much of what we commonly experience as "anger" is unresolved conflict.

So, that means that most road-ragers have two things working against them: a debilitating lifestyle which is rendering them unable to cope with additional stresses, and lack of any outlet for their emotions. When people cut me off now, I smile and ease back, giving them more room. I spend a lot more time yielding to people on the road where I don't really need to. Being a considerate driver really helps defuse potential rage situations.

That driver's an idiot? Yeah, you're probably right, but instead of giving them the finger, give them a break. They probably need it. That may be a bit too Buddhist for some, but it works for me.

Your points about the Government are things that I'd love to get a long Email about.

Thanks!