FleetWatch - Letters

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February 2006

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If you feel peeved off or thrilled by something, don't keep it to yourself. Share it. Remember the Sun City advertisement which urged you to get there by car, train, bus or plane. Well, now you can get to FleetWatch - and through us to the market - by phone, fax, e-mail or the web. Just get here.

A winner again

ONCE AGAIN you have come out with a winner! The A-Z of Road Transport Terminology and Related Information book is undoubtedly an essential tool for everyone (however distant) related to the trucking industry. This is the Thesaurus for truckers, drivers, mechanics, vehicle examiners, traffic officers and even the ‘dolly’ on the switchboard.

It should be legislated that everyone involved in trucking must subscribe to FleetWatch, without exception, simply because the information - that is freely available - is invaluable!

Please convey our most sincere thanks to Jack Webster, Johan Cloete and all those unnamed members who have been responsible for this excellent publication. The research, compilation and pure hard work by your team is appreciated by the National Vehicle Testing Association and, as national chairman, I will endeavour to continue to promote your fine publication.

Wally Cracknell
National Vehicle Testing Association

Editor’s Comment: Wow! What can I say apart from Wow! Thank you so much for those most kind words. Heaping praise on a product which, indeed, has seen a number of people put in a huge amount of work makes it all so worthwhile. FleetWatch operates on the principle of adding value and if we are doing that, then we are on the right track. I would also like to thank Johan Cloete and the good folk at DaimlerChrysler South Africa for partnering this project with us over the years. As the above letter proves, you are making a huge difference out there – and that has got to be worthwhile.

Your comment

Hope to be a truck driver

Editor's Comment: This letter was received by FleetWatch over the Christmas period. Given that this is our first magazine of the year, I am publishing it - along with the poem submitted - as I feel it is such a cute letter from a youngster who, at 14-years-old, sees way beyond the position of a driver into the role that driver plays in society - and especially over Christmas time. This youngster knows more than many managers and I guess that's because his dad - and his granddad - were truck drivers. Chris J - FleetWatch salutes you boykie and don't ever let go of that dream to become a truck driver. And when you reach the stage when you're old enough to drive, then set your aim to become the best truck driver in the counter. Ask you dad to help you become that and to assist you prepare, you're this month's winner of a R500 Midas voucher. Keep on trucking boykie! Here's Chris J's letter and the poem he submitted.

I am a big fan of trucking and one day hope to be a truck driver. My dad was and so was my grandad.
I love reading your magazine as it keeps me up to date with what's happening in the industry.
I would also like to share this poem with you that I found on the net. Thanks for everything and Merry Christmas.

Chris J
14 year-old-future trucker
Richards Bay

Truckers Christmas Poem

T'was the night before Christmas. He drove all alone.
In a Freightliner condo made of steel and cargo.
I had come down the highway with foot to the floor,
And to see just who, was behind that door.
I looked all about, a strange sight I did see.
No kids, no wife, not even a family.
No wreath on the grill, just a man with a smile,
I read on the truck: 'we go the extra mile'.

With lights of colour, wheels spinning round,
I thought to myself, he must be city bound.
For this truck was different, it was dark and dreary;
I found the home of a trucker, once I could see clearly.
The driver sat driving, silent, alone,
Sitting up on the seat in this one bedroom dome.
The face was so gentle, the truck looked a new,
Not how I pictured a professional driver, who knew.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Who saved a small child, from being dead?
I realized the families that I saw that night.
Owed their lives to these truckers who drive by night.
Soon round the country, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoy gifts each month of the year,
Because of the truckers, like the one I see here.

I couldn't help wonder how many drive alone,
On a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I got out my tissue and started to cry.
The trucker yelled and I heard a rough voice,
"Hey, don't cry, this life is my choice;
I drive for the people, I don't ask for much,
My life is my God, my country, my truck."

The trucker rolled on to finish his job,
I couldn't control it, I continued to sob.
I kept thinking for hours, so silent and still
And thought can he finish? Does he have enough will.
I didn't want to continue on that cold, dark, night,
This guardian of honour so willing to drive.
Then the trucker slowed down, with a voice soft and pure,
Whispered: "Carry on Mr, it's Christmas Day and all is ok."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a Good Night."

Your comment

Replace robots with circles

During a recent business visit to Johannesburg, I was amazed to find the number of traffic lights (robots) out of order. There were also those robots where lights were missing or broken and others where the timing was faulty. All this resulted in huge traffic jams and very frustrated and irate motorists.

There is a simple solution to this problem, namely, replace all traffic lights with traffic circles wherever possible.

Traffic circles do not break down, they are not subject to any power failures, they do not require much maintenance, they are not subject to vandalism, they do not go on strike, they are not subject to storms or flooding, they save fuel, they encourage traffic flow not hinder it, and they are a lot more aesthetically pleasing.

It is high time that South Africa learnt a few lessons from the British where traffic circles have been used successfully for many years. Having visited Britain many times over the years,I found traffic circles to be most efficient at controlling and merging traffic at intersections and only a pleasure to use.

Nick McConnell.
The Kendal Group - Hubers cc.

Editor's Comment: What do other readers think of this suggestion. Are traffic circles the answer? If not, what is the answer? I reckon we start by firing the guy in charge of traffic lights. Whoever he is, he is less than useless.

Your comment

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