As this morning’s rush hour winds down, about 150 dump trucks will hit Toronto-area highways for a rolling protest, carrying complaints of low wages and high pressure on drivers to operate unsafely.

The Ontario Dump Truck Association, a group that claims more than 600 drivers as members, is behind the demonstration, which comes less than three weeks after a couple were killed by a flying tailgate from a dump truck travelling too fast for its size.

“After 2003, we’ve had no raise,” Manjit Singh, an owner-operator and spokesman for the group, said yesterday. “They’re pushing for overloading and they’re pushing for overspeeding.”

Mr. Singh, who has been driving for three years, was referring to companies that hire dump trucks to haul material from excavation sites. Many expect drivers to exceed the trucks’ weight limits, and some demand unreasonably short turnaround times for trucks hauling repeated loads from a job site.

If several independent drivers are working one site, all are expected to match the fastest one, effectively forcing them to race, Mr. Singh said. Drivers who refuse to meet these demands are often told, “Go home, we don’t need you,” he said.

More than 400 trucks massed at a Mississauga mosque yesterday so drivers could air their grievances, which shut down several downtown condo construction sites.

With ever-higher fuel and insurance costs to pay since their last increase, drivers say they are more pressed than ever to earn an income. Their hourly rate of $75 has not changed since 2003, they said.

On April 19, Don and Elsie Lourie of Scarborough, both 75, died after their SUV, northbound on Highway 400, was struck by a tailgate that flew off a southbound dump truck. Two truck drivers travelling together were charged in connection with the incident.

Today’s rolling blockade will begin at Dixie and Derry Roads in Mississauga, follow Highway 410 south to Highway 401, then go east to Highway 427. There, the truckers will head south to the Gardiner Expressway, travel east to the Don Valley Parkway and turn north. They will then re-enter the 401, head west to the 410, then north to Dixie and Derry.

Toyota Canada has extended warranty coverage and could even buy back some trucks because of potential inadequate corrosion protection on the frames of about 10,200 older Tacoma models.

The company confirmed yesterday a “support program” was recently started for customers to extend the warranty to 15 years with no mileage limit on the 1995-2000 model year pickups.

The move came after the company received reports that a small number of trucks had shown excessive frame corrosion that caused metal perforation.

“When exposed to road salts and other environmental factors, these vehicles may develop corrosion beyond normal surface rust commonly found on metal after years of exposure,” the company said in a statement.

Toyota also said , as part of the program, the company may buy vehicles back if it finds metal perforation.

“When the condition is confirmed during the inspection process, Toyota will, at its option, repair or repurchase the vehicle,” the company said.

If it finds no rust perforation, the company will still extend the warranty to 15 years.

Toyota’s sales have grown strongly during the last decade on a reputation for durability and quality.

Two truck drivers are facing charges in connection with the death of a couple after a crash in King Township Saturday afternoon.

At about 2:05 p.m., a dump truck headed south on Hwy. 400 near King Road veered out of control due to a tire blow out.

After the truck hit a concrete barrier, the truck’s tailgate became loose, flying toward northbound traffic and crashed through the windshield of a Chevrolet Avalanche, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

Two Toronto residents, a man and woman, both 75, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names will not be released until their family is notified, the OPP said.

Police arrested and charged a dump truck driver with two counts of criminal negligence causing death and two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death. Officers determined a second dump truck was linked to the incident and have charged that driver with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

They are scheduled to appear in a Newmarket courtroom Monday.

The highway was closed in the area for hours while police investigated.

Police have extended thanks to witnesses who came forward to help with their investigation, as well as those who stopped to help at the scene.

A New Hyde Park man was fatally injured after he suddenly stepped into traffic on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park and was hit by a passing potato chip truck, Nassau County police said.

Frank Stine, 68, of Leonard Boulevard, sustained severe head trauma and was pronounced dead at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola.

Stine, who was hit at 3:18 p.m., Tuesday, “was standing on the center painted safety zone of Jericho Turnpike just east of 12th Street when he suddenly turned around and crossed southbound into the travel lane,” the police report said.

The 1988 Chevrolet truck, driven by Frank Decclesiis of Baldwin, was impounded for safety tests. No charges were filed against Decclesiis.

Two men were killed and a third was injured Monday morning in an accident in Macks Creek.

Eric C. Branch, 31, of Eldon, was westbound on U.S. 54 at Lake Road 54-85 driving a concrete pumping truck when he made a left turn into the path of a Chevrolet S10 pickup driven by Kevin W. Huckabee, 23, of Macks Creek, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Huckabee was seriously injured and flown to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Devin T. Clark, 21, and Dustin S. Vaughn, 23, both passengers in Huckabee’s truck, were pronounced dead at the scene, the patrol reported.

A school bus carrying seven Hagerty High School children was hit early Monday morning by a Chevrolet pickup truck, sending the driver of the pickup truck to Orlando Regional Medical Center, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Charles Robert Barker, the driver of the pickup, was heading north on State Road 419 and made a left in front of the bus, which was heading south. FHP spokeswoman Trooper Kim Miller said charges are pending against Barker for violating the right of way.

Another school bus picked up the students, none of whom were injured, and took them to Hagerty High School. Greg Kirby, a spokesman for Seminole County Fire Rescue, said they do sometimes see school bus accidents.

“It happens from time to time, unfortunately,” Kirby said.

The Hybrid vs. Diesel debate has been going a little while now and Edmunds are taking a fresh look at this debate in the form of the 2008 Hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 Diesel. You can watch the road test and review in the video below this article; Edmunds said that availability might be a big issue with both of these vehicles.

Many car owners would not think of buying a Hybrid, but this attitude is starting to change and with the environment being such a hot topic the idea of a nice green Hybrid will become more popular as the prices get better and choice increases. The 6L V8 Chevrolet Tahoe sounds like every GM truck you have ever heard of, but its got a pair of electric motors in the transmission casing and does 20 city, 20 highway according to the EPA. Some people think the Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI Diesel is the better way to go, although the two big SUVs do share some common ground. The Mercedes-Benz costs only $480 more than the Chevrolet Tahoe and they both are reasonably fuel-efficient at least by big SUV standards.

Watch the Edmunds hands-on and comparison video below or read the full article on Edmunds.com, where they aim to find out if these vehicles can hit the EPA ratings, they also show you how both vehicles are equals in a contest of speed but the Agile Benz pulls ahead in many areas and although the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is more versatile than earlier hybrid SUVs, Edmunds believe that the diesel wins this round.

An elderly man and woman are dead after the tailgate on a dump truck flew off and slammed into a vehicle on Highway 400 on Saturday afternoon.

Ontario Provincial Police said the dump truck was travelling south when it lost control and slammed into the centre median near King Road at about 2 p.m.

The impact ripped the tailgate from the large truck, sending it into the northbound lanes, where it crashed through the windshield of a Chevrolet Avalanche, said Const. Dave Woodford.

The occupants of the Chevrolet, a man and woman both aged 75, were pronounced dead at the scene.

“You don’t expect something like that to happen,” Woodford told CTV Toronto. “We hear sometimes tires coming off, but I’ve never heard of a tailgate coming off a vehicle.”

Police closed all lanes of the highway in both directions to investigate and clean up the accident.

Woodford expected the highway to remain closed until at least 8 p.m.

Police are asking witnesses to contact Aurora OPP at 905-841-5777.

Chevrolet trucks can be described in three words: bold, big, and high-performing. It wouldn’t be generating a lot of sales every year and obtain high praises from utility vehicle consumers if they don’t possess all these qualities.

Chevrolet trucks are generally classified into two that are currently released in the market today. One is the Chevrolet Colorado and the other is the Chevrolet Silverado. Chevrolet Colorado is like the Canyon of General Motors. They are both in midsized and pick up trucks. In 2004, both of them were released in the market. In addition to that, both of them also are good alternatives for the S10 and Sonoma of Chevrolet and GMC respectively.

The Chevrolet Colorado boasts of automatic and manual transmissions. If you want relative ease, or if you’re basically new when it comes to driving pick-up trucks, you can find the automatic transmission such a benefit. Nevertheless, when the terrain appears to be difficult to just solely depend on the automatic capacity of the truck, you have to switch to manual transmission. The model also has drivetrain option, and is a four-door truck. The body style, meanwhile, is crew cab. If you like superior performance of the engine, go get a Colorado with a 3.5-L engine.

Chevrolet Silverado has also its down side when news broke out about its issue in its gauge instruments in the panels. It was found out that the gauges are not accurately reading that creates some disappointments to its consumers. For this reason, a lot of discussions in the forums in the internet are made for the said subject. However, there is still no word from Chevrolet about this issue.

There is some negative publicity about Chevrolet Silverado that is relating to its gauge instruments in its panels. It was said that the needles just do not work at all creating a not so good readings. The forums in the internet are filled with these discussions especially among car owners. However, they are still waiting for the public announcement from the company about this.

However, it is undeniable that both of these Chevrolet trucks are the best mate for every motorist especially when traversing some hard terrains that only needs the most durable and power engine that can be available. Adding to this is the ultimate accessory that sends a word to everyone that he owns himself a Chevy truck. This is none other than the Chevrolet truck keychains. It comes in a wide variety of designs. One can find it in chrome circle, leather silver or gold as well as the metal oval. This would perfectly suit everyone’s craving for style.

One could not help himself but in awe with the keychains as it is embedded with the company that has been a reputed car manufacturer. All keychains are marked with “Chevy” on it. This would make everyone who would see it to buy one.. Perhaps, with its elegance and design, the would have their money’s worth on it.

You can also have the choice to personalize the keychains, if you want to give them away as presents. There are already too many companies that are willing to embed the name of your organization or the name of the recipient on the strap or on the face of the chain itself, giving these Chevrolet truck keychains a higher personal value.

If one believes in originally All-American, perhaps, he will not fail if he would have the all-American Car. This is no other than Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Debuted in 1970’s, Chevrolet Monte Carlo has been launched as Thunderbird’s version for Chevy. Up to 2007, the model was still in release on its 6th generation already. Although Chevrolet Monte Carlo has improved for many years, its two coupe door has not yet changed.

The Launch of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo: It was in 1973 when Chevrolet decided to let the Americans know that they had something they can drive through the countryside and in busy traffic lanes. Hence, Monte Carlo was born. It wasn’t a utility car but a luxury automobile, which means more than function convenience was its utmost offer. Nevertheless, because it was such a superb performer, there are already too many car racers today who want to get their own Monte Carlo for competitions.

If one is inquiring what he might get from a Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Perhaps, there are a number of them that is not commonly seen in a car. The extra gauges and the tachometer is one. These instruments could have the driver monitor the prevailing conditions of the car so that he can respond immediately to its need. Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s V-8 engines are reputed to be very power in terms of its performance. The suspensions are way too good that it is designed for race tracks. No wonder, Chevrolet Monte Carlo is the strongest competitor of sedan types which is manufactured by non-American automakers.

As far as the body is concerned, it is perfect designed and shaped with opera windows on it. The fine-mesh grille is an attraction to its front bumper. On the fender’s headboard, you can find its headlights while on its tips are the parking lights.

Every year, Chevrolet Monte Carlo is growing rapidly. It has grown with some extra four inches in length and two inches in width. There is also some great changes in its design. However, because of its positive comments among the consumers, the short decks and the long hoods are retained. One might wonder how he can classify Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Either it is an LS or an SS. Perhaps, one can tell this when he will ride in Chevrolet Monte Carlo. He can see difference very subtly especially in its suspensions.

With Chevrolet Monte Carlo, one cannot help but remember the good old days when baby boomers are just developing to what they become in the future, the music is just so good that there are lots of talents in its scene, as well as the peak of American living. Perhaps, one might be homesick for this period. However, this homesickness could be relieved with having the best accessory there can be and that is the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Keychains. With its small replica, one can get a piece of good memories on that era.

There is a big variety of choices that you can choose from, though one of the best will be one that contains Monte Carlo in blazing red color but dark and tinted windows. You can find the bow tie logo of Chevy at the rear of the miniature car. In fact, you can play around with it as the wheels can actually move.