Joe had been driving trucks for over 20 years. He loved the open road, the freedom of being his own boss, and the thrill of delivering goods across the country.
He had seen many changes in the industry, from new regulations to new technologies, but nothing prepared him for the day he saw a driverless truck on the highway.
It was a sleek white vehicle with a blue and green ‘W’ on the windshield. It had no driver, no steering wheel, no pedals. Controlled by a computer that used sensors, cameras, GPS and Wi-Fi to navigate the traffic and follow the route. This machine was part of a convoy of similar trucks that were platooning behind each other, saving fuel or energy.
This is what is going to change the life of truck drivers in the USA.
A truck driver’s life in the USA is not easy. It involves long hours on the road, away from home and family, facing various challenges and risks. It also requires a lot of skill, dedication and passion for the job.
He or she may start the day early, before dawn, to avoid traffic and make good time. The driver may drive for up to 11 hours a day, with mandatory breaks every few hours. Follow strict regulations and keep track of his hours of service, fuel consumption, mileage and cargo weight. They also have to inspect the truck before and after each trip and report any issues or defects.
It is a lot of working hours, but there is as much fun and seriousness in this truck driving business. The matter of truck driving has been featured a lot in Hollywood movies in particular.
But the changes in the industry are yet to be featured in a ‘Duel‘ like movie.
On the highway, dealing with his work, Joe felt a surge of anger and fear as he watched the new truck pass him by.
He knew that these trucks were cheaper and safer than human drivers, and that they were taking over his job. He had heard that mining companies in Australia had already replaced their drivers with robots, and that startups in San Francisco were retrofitting vehicles with driverless capabilities for just $30,000.
He had also heard that driverless cars were becoming more common in cities like Phoenix, where people could hail a robotaxi using an app.
He wondered how long it would take before he was out of work. He wondered how he would pay his bills, support his family, and find a new career. He wondered how many other drivers were feeling the same way.
That is when he made the decision to join a protest group that was organizing a rally against driverless technology. Their plan is to ring state capitals with their trucks and block the roads. They want people to hear their voices and they demand protection for their livelihoods.
He knows it is a risky move, and that it might not make any difference. He also knows that driverless technology was inevitable and unstoppable. But he also know that he had to fight for his dignity and his rights.
His hope, as that of his colleagues, friends, were that someone would listen.
Truck drivers travel across different states and regions, sometimes even crossing borders into Canada or Mexico.
Some may encounter different weather conditions, road hazards, traffic jams and detours. To remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times and adjust the driving accordingly is of utmost importance.
Drivers also has to deal with tolls, checkpoints, weigh stations and law enforcement officers.
But as we can see, this is very different for the driverless trucks.
Since he spends weeks or months away from home, depending on his route and schedule, Joe knows that he has to spend more time on the roads, participating in protests.
For that, he may sleep in his truck’s sleeper berth or at a truck stop, motel or rest area. He may eat at diners, fast food joints or gas stations along the way.
He may have limited access to showers, laundry facilities or other amenities. He may also have limited contact with his family and friends, relying on phone calls, texts or social media. The battle has begun.
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