New Zealand Truck Drivers

Hi, all my loyal readers.

Been busy lately travelling in a truck from Nelson to Blenheim, New Zealand.
With unusually heavy loads.
Had to share my thoughts on the guys who use our roads at night.

These bunch of drivers (truckies) don't get the credit they deserve.
Without these guys you would have no food on shelves and businesses with no product.
You imagine if all the drivers stopped for just one day.
You would not have food, general frieght, parts, meat, wood, produce and even god forbid post that come from Bill...hehe

Have a question for the Government and Local councils, of the two roads I have travelled the most on.
The Rimutaka Hill and Whangamoa Hill are roughly the same, why for the life of me.
After spending millions of dollars a year to upgrade the hills, have they not just go through the bottom of them.
Both roads are alike, Whangamoa's are tight winny roads and Rimutaka is a higher climb with a few tight bends.
Stop spending money on the bloody Auckland Motorways and Underground Trains.
They need to concentrate on the roads that need to be really upgraded.
Both are in that catergory.
They are both good for holding black ice on the road aswell and trap poor motorists out when least expected.

One thing that I have honestly learnt and opened my eyes, was that they are a great bunch of guys.
They work hard and you don't see that at night, because you are sound asleep at that time.
They have to be places at certain times and can't be late as most times meeting likes of the Ferry's are important and have to also be in cities on towns on time.
Not only that but what you don't know is when there is an accident on the roads at night, those bunch of guys are usually there. Most of the time first on the scene and great at communicating between other drivers about the situation or Police and Emergency Services.

It is a tight knit group and will help fellow drivers and the public out.
I think that there is too much pushed on these drivers though, for time limits and loads to been pushed out quickly.
Especially when every load is different every night, and all drivers are different at doing things.
These drivers get out of their trucks and help other drivers unload, in which they return the favour.

The one real danger that I have come across is that out of town drivers head down South Island and not knowing the roads. They don't know how dangerous the roads can be and end up rolling the trucks or even worse deaths. Always throws them on the Blenheim through to Kaikoura making their way to Christchurch.
But then you could say the same as South Island truck bound for the North Island that haven't travelled their roads.
Care needs to be taken.

Would like to thank John for letting me join on the trips and opening my eyes to another view on the back bone of  the real night time Kiwi's.
I take my hat off to you lot.

Nice to have meet a good bunch of guys.

Over and Out

Road Rat