Letter: Gravel trucks cause problems

Friday, April 30, 2004 | 8:49 a.m.

At what point will the Nevada Trasnportation, the Highway Patrol and the trucking companies themselves take responsibility for the countless windshields, paint jobs and other damage that gravel trucks cause on our highways?

The lame excuse that loads are covered, and the disclaimer on the backs of gravel trucks that say "Stay back 300 feet, we are not responsible for broken windshields" isn't playing very well these days.

The drivers for the most part are irresponsible. They weave in and out of traffic and more often than not grossly exceed the speed limit. Gravel and rocks are sprayed across three lanes of traffic. When they hit a bump, it's twice as bad.

There was a time when the trucking companies took some responsibility, when Las Vegas was smaller and trucking companies were rooted in our community. Some of those companies are still around and for the most part they are not the prime offenders.

These trucks should be forced by law to stay in the right lane and they should not be allowed to pass.

If I sound bitter, I am. I just recently lost my third windshield in less than two years -- not to mention the damage to my paint!

STEVE BOUGON