
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 17, 1990                   TAG: 9007170314
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TRUCKERS' LOBBY A POWERFUL ONE

TO WHOM does Raymond Lawrence Jr. (commentary on truckers June 25) think the interstates belong? He does get to drive on them, doesn't he?

Let's face it. The trucking industry has one of the most powerful lobbies, serving both state and federal lawmakers. It has lobbied for loads heavier than the standards to which the interstates are built; it has lobbied successfully to keep its taxes down; it has lobbied successfully to increase the size of trucks and to allow tandem trailers; it has threatened states that have tried to enforce traffic laws by driving through a state without stopping to make purchases of diesel fuel, etc.

Anyone dissatisfied with the way truckers behave is free to take the U.S. and state highways. Many of them can get one to his destination with greater ease and with much less traffic. Another way to change truckers' habits is for the public to outspend the lobbyists in both political-action-Committee funds and perks.

Incidentally, it would be very easy and non-lethal to bring down truckers' speeding if the states really wanted to do it and if the lobbyists did not win again.

CARL J. HOLCOMB\ BLACKSBURG

by CNB