Surprise! At the scene of an accident, the cops just might be on your side

Did you have any idea that both the police and the press may actually be on your side in the aftermath of a highway accident? It’s true, sorta kinda, according to a fairly lengthy CBC television news report by Wendy Mesley.

It seems she’d become intrigued by the notion that trucking company names are rarely mentioned in news reports of accidents involving trucks.

Sure enough, interviews with somewhat sheepish staff at The Toronto Sun revealed that they avoid publishing the fleet’s name if it’s not germane to the story. In fact, Mesley found that the company name is included in the reportage only 15% of the time.

That’s amazing, considering how often that newspaper slams our industry, often with front-page punch. Then again, the publisher may be worried about lawsuits.

Mesley also interviewed Sgt. Cam Woolley of the Ontario Provincial Police, who’s a media favorite and arguably the cop who understands trucks and trucking best in southern Ontario.

True to form, he was controversial, admitting that he sometimes opens the door of a truck so the news cameras can’t catch the company name — in cases, he said, where it’s clear that the truck driver wasn’t at fault. Thanks, Cam.

Mesley also reported on the common practice — but misguided, in my opinion — of fleet folks who rush to an accident scene and paint or tape over their company name. Sometimes before, she discovered, they even ask how their driver is doing!

At one accident scene, hastily applied black spray paint obscured the name and logo on the door of a truck emblazoned with otherwise very recognizable company colors.

Is this practice wise? If I were a reporter who had less than affection for trucks, there’s nothing that would rouse my interest more than a company trying so obviouslyÑand so amateurishlyÑto hide. Doesn’t it come close to implying guilt?