I, myself, along with other truck drivers, are essential employees. I have learned from the best. We go through many hours of training to get our commercial driver's license. The trucks that we drive are heavy, take longer to speed up, take very wide turns, just to name a few. We truckers get groceries, fuel, building materials, including humans (let's not forget our bus drivers), from point A to point B. A problem that we truckers deal with is that we get cut off by others driving smaller cars and then slam on their brakes. Trucks take much longer to slow and come to a stop. We cannot stop on dimes.

Lately I have seen some drivers utilize hand and finger gestures at us truckers. I am not sure what they are saying so I pay no mind. I wonder if it is a nervous twitch or medical condition that needs attention. I have just one request to all drivers who do not understand what it takes to be a truck driver. Please respect us and leave us some space as this is an important job that is taken seriously. We want to get home to our loved ones as well.

Stephen Whitehouse

Waterford