Allow me to set the scene a little here folks. Sometimes choosing which stories to write is as easy as deciding whether to have the T-bone steak or the petit pois (it involves green peas and poached eggs). Also, sometimes choosing can be as difficult as explaining the logbook rules to a local police officer. On other occasions I just need a little inspiration or guidance.
The decision to write a story about the spectacular Star you see on these pages before you however came about through my sympathy for our North American counterparts. During my recent trip to the US I was able to experience firsthand the draconian laws that require their drivers to not only work fewer hours than us Australasian truckies, but they also have to survive months on the road in sleeper setups that can barely accommodate a 40-inch flatscreen.
When driver welfare is a paramount issue, these Americans barely have room for a rowing machine and home gym inside their custom-built sleepers. How could I not write about it? I must share their misery.
For the record I had requested my editor print a lot of this story in a ‘sarcastic’ text font, but apparently that’s not yet available. So, let’s carry on with the mordant undertones of this story and get back to why I rushed to put together the story on this beautiful purple 5700 Western Star featured here.
I had recently returned from some relief driving,
