8-2 split explained in an easy to understand format

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by gravdigr, Sep 8, 2011.

  1. gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

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    I have seen and heard the split berth provision explained many times and found the explanations often just confuses folks. While driving I started trying to think of an easy way to define the rule and make it easy to understand and remember. I came up with 4 rules.

    Please, if any information I post here is incorrect feel free to correct me (posting the pertinent reg would be helpful as well). The method I use was taught to me at orientation and I have used it a few times with no complaints from the logging department.

    Rule 1. The 2 hour break may be any combination of sleeper and off duty time.

    Rule 2. The 8 hour break must be 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper.

    Rule 3. Only 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper will extend the 14.

    Rule 4. The new 14 begins after the FIRST qualifying break, but not until you have completed the second qualifying break.

    It seems this rule was put in place to make your driving time more flexible, but is so confusing no one uses it, then complains about having to pack a full 11 hours of driving into a 14 hour period making driving a marathon and this is just not the case.

    Here are 2 examples of using the split berth provisions.

    Example 1

    You start a fresh 14. You drive for 5 hours and get hungry. Maybe you want to stop and get a sit down meal, use the restroom, and take a decent break. You take a 2 hour break (any combination of off duty and sleeper). You get back on the road and have 7 hours left of your 14 and 6 hours of driving. Now you drive for 5 more hours and your 11 is almost up. You park and take an 8 hour break in the sleeper. That 8 hour break completes the split berth and after your 8 hour break you have 6 hours of drive time and 9 hours of your 14 left. You did not waste any time, and you did not crush out 10 straight hours of driving. You are not fatigued and feel good.

    Example 2

    You start a fresh 14. But during your 10 hour break you had to do laundry (you do wash your clothes right?), take a shower, maybe talk to family, pay some bills online, whatever. So while you had a 10 hour break in reality you got only 5 hours sleep. You can't sleep past your 10 hour break because you have a pickup appointment you can't miss. So you drive 1 hour to the shipper and make the pickup. You leave the shipper an hour later but you know you shouldn't drive as you are exhausted. So you find a place to park, say an hour away, and take an 8 hour nap in the sleeper. That 8 hour break extends your 14. So after your 8 hour break you still have 11 of your 14 and 9 of your 11. You are well rested and alert now. Now say you drive for 5 hours after your 8 hour nap and stop for a 2 hour break. Now your 14 starts at the end of your previous 8 hour break. You have 6 hours of your 11 left and 7 hours of your 14.

    I know it seems confusing but it can really be useful if you try it. Just remember the 4 rules.
     
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  3. FLTeam

    FLTeam Bobtail Member

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    easy to understand indeed :) Thank you for the post!
     
  4. gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

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    really or is that sarcasm? If it is still confusing let me know
     
  5. Foust

    Foust Light Load Member

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    sounds 'easy' enough to me and I can be a real rock sometimes! now if I can just find this thread in a couple months after school...
     
    Big_D409 Thanks this.
  6. dave26027

    dave26027 Road Train Member

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    Never seen it explained so eloquently and easy before- Thanks!
     
  7. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Have you ran your example through DDL or something like it?

    Because when I did it, it did not work.
     
  8. gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

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    what is DDL? I use paper logs. maybe i should look for the regs somewhere. could our log dept be wrong? :gasp: lol

    ok here's the regs I found

    As far as I can tell I have it right. Its possible elog programs don't calculate the hours correctly?
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2011
  9. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    I understand you, but the drivers daily log on the computer finds fault. I went to the regs last night to check it and also to the website of the program.

    I will look back it later to see why.

    The reason I mentioned it though, is that if the DOT is using some checker, it is hoped it works as well.
     
  10. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Checked it again and it did work on DDL. I knew it had not been a problem before because I have done it.

    I was not posting it right.

    I put it as off duty for meals and again as off duty for the break and the break had to be in sleeper.

    Knew being tired would have been the issue.
     
  11. DragonTamerBrat

    DragonTamerBrat Road Train Member

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