Hype, Histeria from the FMCSA

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by scotty, Nov 20, 2008.

  1. scotty

    scotty Light Load Member

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    I got into a heated talk the other day with our companies saftey manager who was at one time a D.O.T. officer, ( Scale Master ). He told be that his job was for the drivers saftey and I said after twenty eight years of accident and voilation that Drivers like myself don'e know anything about saftey? I went on to say, It's people like you who set behind a desk and saftey meetings the same old rules againe and againe, while Drivers like myself do the work. Accidents are going to happen and no matter how much you think of yourself theres nothing you can do to stop them.
    The benvolent F.M.C.S.A, Mothers against Unsafe Truck Drivers and every other crackpot lobbiest who spread the word on how dangerious we are do not have a clue of what the Profession Driver do. Speaking for myself, I drive a truck in a safe manner and watch our for the general public. This is how I support my family. Accidents nation wide of big rigs are a drop in a bucket compared to autos and all evendence points nationaly that autos are the leading cause of tractor trailer accidents.
    So spare me from the F.M.C.S.A. that the only way they can justify there exsistance is through:whdat: fear and hype to the general public.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2008
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  3. psanderson

    psanderson Road Train Member

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    I won't lower myself to offer an answer sir. I'll just say that I'm a retired federal DOT official that has over 1 million miles accident free in a commercial vehicle and as opinionated as you are in my opinion sir, there's no chance of you understanding it.
     
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  4. LogsRus

    LogsRus Log it Legal

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    Not that you need me to say this, but good post:biggrin_25525:

    I hear that all the time them people writing the rules don't have a clue and blah blah blah and when actually if the drivers would look at as the rules are there to keep employers from over working drivers to.
     
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  5. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    On the flip side of this arguement...

    If ALL fines were billed to the company (at double the normal fine), as well as the driver. Much of this would never be debated or questioned.

    Freight rates would be better too I suspect.
     
  6. Markk9

    Markk9 "On your mark"

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    EOBR's would go a good long way in helping safety. But we all know that it's not about safety, it's about making money on both sides. I have read estimates that if all driver drove legal it would require at 10% to 25% increase in the number of truck needed to pick up the current slack.

    Mark
     
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  7. countrycruisers

    countrycruisers Light Load Member

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    Its all political BS. Experienced truckers are the best drivers in the country. If you get a million miles accident free great. You are lucky. How can any driver protect there vehicle from other drivers all the time. Most of the time yes. Our skilled defensive driving techniques prevent contact with most other motorist. To be a OTR driver and say that you went a million miles accident free because you are a safer driver than those of us that have been involved in an accident is complacent at the very least.
     
  8. psanderson

    psanderson Road Train Member

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    If it's not about safety, then why did (past tense) does (present tense) my former employer simplistically call them the Federal Motor Carrier SAFETY Rules over and above the legal definition which is Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations? Your statements interest me in this regard.
     
  9. Flyer

    Flyer Light Load Member

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    I can remember back in the 70's and 80's being pulled over and ticketed for running 70 to 75 mph in IA and NE (Speed limit was 55 mph). This was usually followed by a lecture about safety and not killing people. Today the equipment (I still run an 85 359), is not really any different (save some abs enhancement and computer tech) and guess what the speed limit is now 70 and 75. There is no great leap in FMCSR's to justify this, nor any great leap in equipment technology. What say you psanderson ?
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2008
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  10. countrycruisers

    countrycruisers Light Load Member

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    How bout when the great state of OH. lifted the speed from 55 to 65 on the turnpike because they needed the revenue from the truckers choosing not to run the turnpike. Now the State of OH. always placed SAFETY in front of the excuse to keep the speed limit for trucks down to 55. Guess we know now what the real reason is. I'm not saying there shouldnt be rules and regulations.. What I am saying is the rules and regulations are being used more to create revenue than to enforce public safety. This is evident time and time again...

    I was chatting with another driver one time heading west on I-40, some miles past knoxville. Tennessee decided to open one of their rest area/inspection stations. I didn't know at the time they even did that with the rest area's. Anyway I never did see the sign saying it was open and the other driver and I just cruzed on past. At the other end of the rest area, standing at the end of the on ramp was a "DOT official" pointing us over to the shoulder.

    Obviously there is a signage problem if someone has to stand out there flagging trucks over that are bypassing the rest area/inspection station.

    So he gives us both a ticket and sends us on our way. Dosn't check our log or weight or BOL. Nothing. Was that stop about SAFETY or REVENUE!

    I could give examples like this all day.
     
  11. psanderson

    psanderson Road Train Member

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    Memory serve, back then the speed limit in IA was 70 for cars & 60 for trucks (prior to the 55 MPH limit). Are you suggesting sir, that excessive speed for an 80,000 lb. vehicle at any speed is safe no matter what the speed limit is for that vehicle especially so considering you admit to driving 70/75 in a 55? At 55 MPH it takes an 80,000 lb. truck 335 feet to stop. At 65 it takes 525 feet assuming all 10 brakes are properly adjusted and when was the last time you saw that?

    As far as equipment improvements; are you suggesting sir, that the present day equipment is/was the same as as an International 9670 in comfort, or when that electrical printed circut board blew out leaving you with no electrical, or that a Detroit Diesel of that era was safe when you had to stop on the side of the road every 500 miles & replace a frost plug that blew? Are you suggesting that suspension back then was as comfortable as now making you less stressed?

    And remember, the speed limit reduction back then had everything to do with fuel and lesser consumption.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2008
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