Before beginning this trip, I'd like to preference it by stating that in spite of the fact that our highways and trucks are technological wonders, the road is still a very perilous place for tires. These well-worn paths are filled with all kinds of hazards, such as nails, glass, rocks, spillage, ruts and potholes. Consequently, it's no wonder that road-gators are becoming the norm. Sometimes, I'm forced to wonder who or what (drivers, government or gators) really rules the road?

Imagine it's the 4th of July and it's 104 degrees in the Arizona shade. You speculate how hot the pavement is. I'll bet it really is hot enough to fry eggs. Not a breath is stirring except the turbulent wake behind everyone whizzzzzing down I-10. The a/c quit a 100 miles back and you swear it's hotter with the window down. Fortunately, your internal swamp cooler keeps pumping out those beads of sweat that instantly evaporate. However, with this dryness there's the side affect of the accumulating grimy crud encapsulating your entirety. And people wonder why drivers sometimes smell or look haggard.

Then, as if you needed more troubles, from out of no-where your pal Murphy jumps onboard. Without time to eject your good-buddy, your ears are filled with a mind-numbing KaBooooom. Instinctively, your eyes silently drift to the mirrors. Yep, sure enough, a dern blasted blowout. Hunks of rubber sprout wings and take flight. The tailgating 4 -wheeler slams on the brakes causing a 3-Mile Island chain reaction. Quietly, you smile as you think it serves them right for drafting your exhaust.

You try to keep your eyes focused on the road ahead, but your curiosity has you by the throat. You stare into the mirrors, hoping to not see any carnage caused by your untimely road debris. Thoughts creep into your central nervous system. As you cautiously put pressure on the brakes, you begin to wonder if anyone is hurt. What if the 4-wheeler wrecked and sustained damage? What if a kid got hurt?!

I've just become another statistical highway incident. How's this going to affect my CDL? Will I get a ticket for contributing to a crash even though that stupid 4-wheeeler was tailgating? We all know it's always the trucker's fault - no matter what! I suppose I'll get fired? Jumpin' Ge Hosafat - how will I pay the bills? I'll probably be sued...

Now, your onboard computer switches to the immediate burdens... Good gracious, what are you going to do? You're loaded to the hilt with HAZMAT. Your mind goes into fast-forward trying to anticipate and comprehend all the consequential alternatives. According to DOT, you have to stop, but where? The shoulder is barely wide enough to get off the road and there's a bar ditch so deep you'll turn over if you get too close. So, you continue down the highway looking desperately for a safe haven as more rubber litters the highway.

I've just got to stop, and soon. Heck, I don't even know what damage has been done to the trailer.

Finally, the decision is made - no matter what - you pull over to at least check for damage, and hope that no one will kiss your rear end. In all the excitement, you have temporarily forgotten how hot it is.

Oh, my goodness, it's a good thing I did stop. What's left of the darn tire casing is wrapped around the axle between the rims. Obviously, I can't go anywhere, but I have to get further off the highway 'cause it's just not safe here. I just hope no Smokey is lurking up ahead - cause I'll sure enough get a ticket for driving under dangerous conditions when the rules say to stop and get the tire fixed.

As cars skinny by you at 70 mph. Your astute eyeballs can't help but notice the rubberneckers giving you the wide red eye. Some of these faces have their mouths moving in a peculiar fashion. No doubt their thoughts are filled with kind words about your serious situation. So, with your warning flashers on it's back onto the road you go.

Even though I'm only limping along - what if the shredded remains caught between the rims start smoldering? Brother - if that happens then I will have a big-time problem. What to do? What a dilemma? Dang blame it anyway... why did I let dispatch talk me into taking this haul? I should have listened to my better judgment. I felt this load was trouble, especially since it was a rush job. As they say: "Haste makes waste."

DOT rules indicate that if a tire problem, such as excessive heating begins, the driver must stop immediately and remove any dangerous tire thereby making the environment safer for everyone.

But, I can't fix it. I don't have any tire tools. I've sent a message advising dispatch of my situation and to get me some road service --pronto-- but they haven't responded yet. Ahhh, thank goodness there's a wide spot on the shoulder.

You park just barely out of harms way and wonder where the road serviceman will be able to park and fix your tire without getting smashed. By now that 104 degree temperature has escalated to 120 and another ugly thought sneaks in.

I wonder how hot those acid totes can get before they begin to be another nightmare. I know it's going to be at least 2-3 hours sitting here and Murphy is still around somewhere. I just hope there are no Bears around. What a mess!

Finally, the mechanic arrives. And, after getting the remaining tire carcass unwrapped, a new mud flap, and the mud flap bracket bent back into reasonable shape a new, although slightly used tire is mounted.

Even though there are many legitimate grievances drivers have, by some standards it's not as bad as it used to be. For instance... not all that long ago drivers were expected to fix and change their own tires. Talk about getting dirty and sweaty! But, in this modern "Just in Time" scheduling, tire changing got left at the detour. However, we didn't have all these modern DOT regulations to have to worry about back then.

Some drivers get paid while waiting for a tire to be replaced or fixed. But, many drivers are only paid by miles driven. So their idle time is lost productivity, less pay for the hours on duty and a corresponding lost amount of quality hometime. So, not only does the pocket get squished, but the family starves for attention.

All those anxious gushing thoughts quickly recede when reality merges with the pressing moment at hand. Now, your attention is once again focused upon that blasted 4-wheeler.

I wonder... is that guy in the ditch back there or did he pass me while I was trying to find a place to park? I'm supposed to stop and render aid, but this will be admitting that I caused the problem and then I will be in heap big trouble. But I'm already in a pile of stink. The Three Stooges could not have done a better job. Ahhh, but what you do or don't do right now will affect your financial, legal and professional future. As it is often heard - "the Devil is in the details."

Regardless what is to be done about the 4-wheeler another major decision has to be made before hitting the road.

How do I log this downtime? I'm already late for this rushed delivery. If I log nothing but a rest stop what legitimate mile marker can I say I rested at 'cause there are none? Because hazmat loads cannot be parked unattended - that means awake and cognizant of the situation; then obviously my on duty status has been ticking. If I fudge my log and that 4wheeler or a Black & White tracks me down and I have falsely logged boy will that be hazardous to my future. Yet, if I don't fudge then I'll be legally out of hours before I can make delivery. What to do... What to do? Either way I'm screwed. If I don't make delivery by driving illegally with a falsified log I'll probably get fired. Yet, if I do and get caught, or if I do what the law and my conscience says I'll probably get fired and find myself on the yellow brick road to Hell's half acre. Oh-oh --- I just remembered... I'd better put those blasted placards on... I forgot to mount. I wonder what else will go wrong today?

Yes, it's true that drivers are ultimately responsible for the safe operation of their rigs, which includes tire management. So, just in case the memory has faded a bit - you may want to check these regulations in your Motor Carrier Handbook: 396.7 Unsafe operations forbidden; 397.17 Tires; 392.7 Equipment, inspection and use. Nevertheless, I contend that the irresponsible mandates placed upon driver's causes or at least contributes to the tire problems we all are confronted with.

Click here for the animated graphic: click here.

In the next article we'll examine a few of the many causes that lead to tire illness.

I would appreciate any and all feedback, so write me about your experiences, ideas and concerns. Just email me: Joseph Cummins.

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Created: 04/15/2000
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