BEWARE: Aligators!!!

[RadarRider]

I've been doing a lot of traveling lately on I-95 from RI to NY. It seems, this summer, there's been much more shredded tires on the sides of the highway than usual from semis. When I say 'much more', the term is poor understatement. Fuel prices on the east coast(especially New England) are still @ an all time high. I've heard a few news reports also that told about how most trucking companies are on the verge of going under due to astronomical prices @ the pump. Being around many companies that own bigrigs too, I know tires can get real expensive. Even retreading tires will put a hurting on your pocket after a while. & I can only imagine what that means for heavy hauling companies that have to use tandoms & stingers. Has it gotten to the point where fuel is so ridiculous, trucking companies are 'cheaping out' in other areas they need to invest in to keep a semi running? If so, not only does that put the life of the driver in danger, but all the other drivers on the road as well. Those tire shreds can really do some van-damage! Any truckers have some info?