Someone get the FMCSA on the phone! According to the results of a new study by American Transportation Research Institute, the 2013 restart rules that they claim made drivers safer may have actually been doing exactly the opposite.
Even before the restart rules went into effect, many drivers were saying what a bad idea the amended rules would be. Among other objections, drivers pointed out that it would force them onto roads during times of day when they’re the most crowded, causing increased traffic and creating more opportunities for accidents. Now that the data has been analyzed, it appears they were exactly right.
Using truck GPS information, the ATRI study shows that trucks were forced to drive more during the day and less at night. While this was actually an intended result of the restart rules, the effect it had was not. Exactly as truckers had predicted, the data showed a significant increase in accidents and traffic during the time that the restart rule was in effect.
The FMCSA has already commissioned their own study into the effects of their restart rules. This is the second such study they’ve commissioned since the first was highly criticized by the industry and members of congress, one congressman going so far as to call it “worthless.”
The problem is that – as the ATRI study shows – the negative impacts of the restart rules are only readily apparent when all of the millions of trucks on the road abide by them. A few hundred trucks taking part in a study won’t produce the same congestion and safety risks that the ATRI study shows, allowing the FMCSA to declare their rules “safe” and to subject our nation’s roadways to unnecessary risk once again in the name of safety.
You can request the study results from the ATRI by clicking here.
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Source: gobytrucknews, fleetowner, overdrive, atrionline
John says
E logs with hold drivers from freedom of the road & force them to drive in dangerous traffic & hrs, when they could be taking a Saftey break! Plus u can never tell where or when u will be held up & not make it to your safe haven to rest! Plus we are losing money by not delivering or picking up loads in time!
Kelly says
What proof do you have to back that statement. I have proof to oppose it.
I’m lease O/O to Questliner, liquid bulk hazmat, primarily alcohol. This my sixth year, they were just moving from paper to elogs when I began in 5 of 09.
I get about 2500 miles average running only 47 weeks a year, and home every weekend, except a couple a year.
I’ve done 180k or over in revenue every year, not including detention and bonus. Last year was 187k, with detention of about 2100 and bonus of 4700, was 194k.
I don’t run CA anymore since 2013. I used to run it from eastern IA home to LA, show .25 post trips, all fueling, unloading, and still have an hour or 2 left on Saturday when I got back.
For those that say you can’t make it using elogs and running legal, don’t know how to manage time or money.
Of course the exception would be cheap freight or a low paying carrier. Then again a good resposible driver could go elsewhere. Don’t cheat yourself.
Chuck says
Kelly, you missed his whole point. Not every O/O is leased on to a carrier. If elogs work for you, by all means enjoy yourself. I’m not leased on to a carrier and I don’t want to be, elogs won’t work for me. It has nothing to do with safety . It’s about control. You need to respect your fellow trucker’s opinion and how his operation works. I don’t feel the need to have someone looking over my shoulder all the time.
Kelly says
I don’t have any trouble with others having an opinion. Opinions though are based on emotion, not fact. Not logical for objective decision making. I won’t speculate on why they won’t work for you. You don’t believe they will therefore they won’t.
Holding a personal belief that you see elogs as a way of control, which you’re uncomfortable with is then the issue.
This being unacceptable to one, then becomes a choice of not liking the implementation of elogs. One can find a way to deal with that belief and see if it is useful or limiting. Another way would be to just move on, if you dont want to accept the change.
We’ve all had to make decisions which are uncomfortable feeling wise. I don’t make business or personal judgements or decision based on personal feelings or thoughts.
That would have me passing up opportunities and experiences, based on emotion, that change like the weather. That in and of itself leads people to live in confusion and pain. Exactly what most would claim to want avoid and yet create.
I wish you well in your quest for continued success, wherever that leads you.
Wes says
First, I don’t think feelings have anything to do with MANDATORY use of e-logs. Second, a verifiable 15% – 20% drop in income isn’t caused by feelings, but it sure does incite some.
I have a problem with not only e-logs, but the whole 11/14 set of regulations, the way they are one size fits all. The FMCSA is requesting $668.523 million for 2015. With that much money, every year, you would think they could hire someone that knows there is more than one type of trucking operation.
FMCSA is so over regulating us, the regulations have become a significant safety issue themselves. Forcing someone to rest or drive according to a one size fits all schedule is not only unsafe, it’s idiotic.
Bob R says
hi kelly
I am happy these rules work for you. thats one! You speak of feelings
well, what you refer to is considered anecdotal. just as “scientific”.
Bob R
Elton Hammonds says
That’s exactly why I decided to quit driving!!!
Denise says
ME TOOOOOOOO QUIT
d jones says
Truckers should return to the roads when they feel rested. Not because someone can’t wait for their Amazon order. It will get there
Matt says
That’s the problem with all these online shopping sites nowadays. Everyone expects their stuff to be at their doorstep immediately, without any consideration to the resources or time needed to transport these goods across the world.
Bob Branch says
The 14-hour start-stop limit compells drivers to run as hard as possible in order to make the best use of their day. The required 1/2-hour break after 8 hours already robs us of 30 miles. Most dock times are NOT compensated.
The loss of the split sleeper-berth provision was incredibly short-sighted. 5-hours on/5hours off will get you anywhere, rested and on time.
My greatest hope for the ELD mandate is that it will level the playing field. No one will be exempt. Shippers and receivers will no longer be able to dictate when freight moves, because the clock will drive the truck. New pay structures incorporating hourly and mileage rates will have to be created. Regional freight will be impossoble to haul.
djohansen says
Everybody is on the same time schedule by 5:00pm there’s no place to park by 8:00 gotta park in the ditch.I remember when you could get up at midnight drive through a big city to beat rush hour then lay back down.
Mike says
what we realy need is a pause button dont need restart i can do math and do recap
Shogun says
I scoff at the notion that the FMCSA could be wrong about a trucking issue. These bureacrats all have years of experience operating commercial vehicles in peak traffic times in major cities. What say you, Ray Lahood? Too busy tightening a slack adjuster out of spec? How bout you Anne Ferro, why so silent? Put down the test light to see where the 7-way trailer plug is losing ground and speak up. Its so reassuring to have these experienced people making these decisions.
michael says
Anne ferro resigned
W C Legere says
Sorry, but the rule changes have absolutely NOTHING to do with the increased number of commercial vehicle accidents. The true causes are as follows; 1) The sheer increase in truck traffic volume on the nation’s highways. 2) The number of new inexperienced, ill-trained and ill-prepared drivers being shoved into the system by greedy and unscrupulous schools, training facilities and large logistics corporations. And let’s not forget the main reason for all the preventable accidents as well as the increase in the overall CSA violation levels – driver irresponsibility. It’s an industry-wide problem and until the powers that be pull their collective heads out of the sand and fix the REAL problems, nothing will change. Company drivers will continue to be overworked, underpaid and considered nothing more than potential “liabilities” by corporations and insurance companies. THAT’S the truth. Like it or not.
Joe Bartman says
Those problems have been around forever. Who knows what the real reason is. What is certain is; the industry is forever shifting into a robotic, over regulated nightmare.
Wes says
1) The sheer increase in truck traffic volume on the nation’s highways.
Cause – Over regulation making each unit less productive.
2) The number of new inexperienced, ill-trained and ill-prepared drivers being shoved into the system by greedy and unscrupulous schools, training facilities and large logistics corporations.
Cause – Over regulation forcing experienced veteran drivers out of the industry, leaving the inexperienced, desperate and the dregs to fill in.
Add to the problem the eventuality of automated trucking, expected to hit the US in 2025. What incentive does a qualified individual have to join this industry???? Truckers are what telephone operators were in the ’80s, just waiting to be eliminated. BRING ON THE ROBOTS
Wes says
BRING ON THE ROBOTS! Coming to the US as soon as 2025
Just imagine …. 5.7 million truckers all applying for the same yard jockey position, should be great benefits.
All the MEGA carriers being able to tell there poor, bitchy, winy, liability ridden masses of drivers to go home and never come back ….. priceless!
Dustin says
The real problem is the 14 hr. rule it is one if the most dangerous and useless rules to come out of the FMCSA. It puts drivers in beat the clock mode which means faster speeds and careless maneuvers. I’ve seen it. Then they come up with the 30 min. Rule well that cuts drivers down to 13.5 hrs a day say what you want. Drivers are just trying to do their job and make a living. FMCSA and their thoughtless rule making is the real problem.
Pete379 says
You people who think more babysitting to level the playing field or the ridiculous restart rules that were obviously nothing more than a means to write tickets that had nno bearing on safety need to get a grip.
Just because you’re stupid enough to drive for these mega carriers that not only have to run elogs but also drive rates down by hiring drivers that have no business behind the wheel of a cmv and paying them accordingly.
Put trucking back in the hands of the real truck drivers and problems are solved.
I see WAY too much stupidity by drivers of these mega carriers all in the name of “we can haul it cheaper”.
That’s a fact.
vic Young says
Wish I had Kelly’s perfect little world.
Infosaur says
Surprised——————–*–Not Surprised
Charles Irvin says
DUH!
Any IDIOT knew that only being allowed to have one restart in a week was NOT making things safer out there!
The present government seems to have the idea that trucking is a 9-5 job: it’s NOT! It’s a 24/7. 365 job, and the shift worked varies from day to day.
The government isn’t the only problem: the “mega truck stops” have all joined in on the bandwagon, and now close their restaurants at 11:00 P.M….gee, what about the driver that’s doing an all-nighter? How and when is he/she supposed to eat?
As I’ve stated before: truck driving is the one occupation in which the driver gets screwed over by every segment of society – including the trucking industry.