The California Highway Patrol blocked some 70 truckers and their rigs from using the Highway 4 on-ramps in Bay Point May 28 in an attempt to prevent truckers from deliberately slowing traffic on the busy commute corridor, according to news reports.

The independent drivers had planned the action to protest their wages and escalating fuel costs.

" There's about 70-80 trucks with trailers that are getting ready to leave and drop off their Royal Trucking containers as (the company) requested," said Johnny Singh, an independent trucker who has helped organize the truckers.

Beginning at about 8:15 a.m., the truckers had planned to begin a freeway "slowdown," Singh said, which was to start in Bay Point and end in Concord, CA.

Truckers had planned to take Highway 4 eastbound to Antioch, turn around and make their way to Royal Trucking Co. at 1420 Royal Industrial Way in Concord, Singh said.

Truckers were not going to exceed 40 miles per hour on the freeway. But as they moved toward the highway, the CHP sprung into action. Cars and other vehicles were allowed to use the on-ramps but the trucks were not.