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

DATE: TUESDAY, January 7, 1992                   TAG: 9201080012
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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TRUCKS DANGEROUS, BUT WE MUST COEXIST

I AGREE with most of what Petie Brigham said in her letter (Dec. 23) concerning tractor-trailer trucks on Interstate 81; some things I disagree on. I feel I am qualified to write about this, as I travel several states delivering cars for dealers and also for a rental company.

As far as the trucks being dangerous, she is absolutely right. No car driver should ever stay beside a truck longer than necessary. Yes, many trucks do run at speeds that endanger many lives and block lanes going uphill, causing car drivers to take unnecessary chances.

But I think most truckers are careful drivers who stay in the pack in the slow lane. If a motorist should break down along the interstate, it would be safer to flag down a trucker than another motorist.

As far as trucks having many lights on them, I think that's good. The better I can see them, the safer I feel. It's dangerous to run up behind a rig at night without lights.

I've got loads of horror stories about tractor-trailers, but I've learned to coexist with them. Our nation would be in a bad way without them.

I would love to see I-81 add an extra lane in each direction only for trucks, all the way from Bristol to Winchester. Petie was right when she said this would be a smart road. In the meantime, let's use good judgment behind the wheel and hope for the best. ROGER CLARK SALEM

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