In an interview with Overdrive this week, FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez said that under him, the administration would be open to getting input from the industry. It’s a line the FMCSA has used before, but in the interview, Martinez talked specifics. He even said he would “revisit” the Hours of Service rules to “provide greater flexibility.”
Martinez said that again and again when he speaks with drivers and carriers, the idea of flexibility keeps coming up. And though he said he’s “pleased” with the way the ELD mandate has rolled out, he acknowledged that the agency needs to “continue to listen to drivers and carriers and work with them to be flexible where we can.”
So where might that flexibility be found?
According to Martinez, one place is with split sleeper rules. And the 30-minute rest break could see some changes.
“That’s one area across the board we’ve heard complaints about,” said Martinez. “Why wouldn’t we look at that?”
What sort of changes might be in store isn’t for sure, but Martinez hopes to get input from the industry.
“I’d like to be able to say a year from now that the industry has noted a difference in posture from the previous three years or five years from this agency. That we are more receptive to new ideas. That we listen better. That we’re more cooperative with industry and trying to work together to make the roadways safer,” he said.
Source: overdrive
Just put those people who who make HOS and ELD to become law. Dealing with traffic, weather, contruction, congestion, sleep time changing from west coast to east coast.. 1st day start to drive @ 5:00 am.. 5 days later stary driving time is midnght… will they sleep straight from 1:00 pm…
Please… we r human being.. we r not machine switching on and off….
Fatal acident because the selfish of people. They dont share the road.. everyone is hurry for their own selfishness..
I only believe in god.. if it suppose to be happen.. it would happened. Thanks to fmcsa that now driver drive faster.. fighting each other over parking spot.. cursing each other on fuel island for taking so long at pump.. driver sleep on the ramp even having a good trip plan, just some traffic jam or delay with road condition.. waking up on ram no restroom to anwser mother nature or clean up themself to have a fresh day start…
Congratulation FMCSA…
Well said. And if you’re found on a ramp in Michigan it’ll be a state trooper waking you up instead of mother nature
Or iowa😡
Thanks we’ll said I agree 100 persent.
Perhaps you should look at trucking history. The basic conditions you describe have always existed for truckers. Changing or eliminating HOS won’t change these things.
It’s always been like this but it’s gotten worse. I strongly agree with the rushing even more for time.
BS. How many truck stops do you sleep at. All are overrun and the drivers refuse to move from the pumps until they finish their 30 minute break. I agree that in the past that many abused their driving privileges, for that I am grateful for the change. But the mentality of the drivers has changed. Aggression has taken over and conditions are more hazardous. Don’t deny that
Well i ONLY sleep at stops.. you’ll never catch me in a rest stop or even worse an off ramp. I need a shower and coffee in walking distance. And if I can’t find a spot I make one or use a fuel lane lol
100% True
But our hwy system didnt have an 1/8 of the drivers or civilians on the same roads
WRONG! The US does not give you credit in time if you take a half hour break as Canada does. You are stuck in a 14 hr frame UNLESS you take an 8hr Sleeper Break. The US needs to use the Canadian system which is more realistic. Currently you’re forced to sleep when you may not be sleepy and drive while you are! Just plain STUPID!
You are right driver
Those people who make HOS are sitting in their offices 9-5 M-F and they are too far from truck drivers needs.
eld? what? i refuse to use one but will be using the book. hust because the conglomerates need button pushers and door swingers does not mean i am conforming. look at my history since 1985 and they will have a hard time in court proving me unfit. eld? yeah ok.
wow this speech to text messaging almost. dam almost.
Exactly!Well said! For the most part I’m getting more red bc operations can’t push u to break the law. However there’s just not enough pressure on cars to stop threatening our lives by cutting us off 40 times a day. No where to park after 2:00 pm and like u said, we are not machines that can just toggle a switch to sleep, but are expected to do it the way the eld says to do it, so u have to roll whether you had sleep or not.
It’s a hot mess and could use a few tweaks here n there.
The PC relaxing was very helpful but just a few more tweaks would help.
*Sleep* not red … wtf auto correct
I agree 100 percent the traffic across the state’s are not sharing at all law enforcement aren’t out there anymore not like 25 yrs ago if they are it’s for babysit construction on the road or an accident
You forgot no place to park at or near truck stops . No parking anywhere at anytime. Just no parking and when you find a truck stop parking it usually comes with a permit to park fee
Unfortunately the ELD has also made the new generation drivers, the ones that only do what their lazy ass wants to do then return to the yard. These guys are the ones who stop at the fuel island just to cross the street and buy chips and a soda. In Yermo, CA there’s a Shell / CFN with 3 pumps and I found drivers asleep taking their breaks AT THE PUMP!! WITHOUT EVEN GETTING FUEL!! It makes me want to put my foot thru their ass!!
These new types of drivers are polluting our industry with laziness and the ELD doesn’t help. We’re at the mercy of both.
That reminds me I need a 10-100
This change be nice for the GUYS that need it. I’m sure I would use it.
I really does think the HOS and eld needs tweaking .. your right we are not machines
Make so our breaks either off duty or in the sleeper doesn’t count against our 14hr day so we can stop and get rest at peak traffic times amd still be able to make to our customers without running out of time. Doing this would also decrease the number of roll overs I’ve seen lately because the drivers just like during peak traffic times would be able to stop and rest instead of driving fatigued.
Gee, really? I recall drivers keeping two or three log books and driving days taking pep pills to stay awake so they can make the big money. Drivers drive fatigued because they want to run as many miles as they can in as short a time as they can. Let’s stop spinning this and just tell it like it is.
How MANY of these pep pill drivers did you actually know? Or was it one of the phantom drivers that you heard of from another driver? Most of the ones WHO might have done this didn’t last long enough to make s mark. They have been taking blood test and drug screens for a long long time and NOT many that I heard of that were in accidents were PILL heads, get your facts straight before you accuse .
I am one of the old school drivers who has swallowed Bennys like candies. During the fifties, sixties and half way into the seventies, most companies wanted miles. Safety and/or driver fatigue was rarely factored into the equation of cargo getting to the destination. The old COE cabs and sleepers were a nightmare for team drivers. The highways in the fifties & sixties were more often than not either gravel surface or broken asphalt. Ninety percent of LD loads were pulled by cab overs. Today’s drives have mini-motor home units and sound proof cabs. The inconveniences of today’s drivers rules would have been a heaven sent gift to us old time OTRs.
so..stop paying by the mile and for 168 hours every week on the road
pay the driver 10.00 an hour.
So, what’s your point ? You are truly pathetic.
D.M. is glittering jewel of colossal ignorance OR dishonesty OR elements of both !
Ha ha ha!! I always found the inexperienced, slow 55 mile an hour drivers flipped over on the freeway, unlike the so called pill popping 10 log book drivers. It’s pretty safe to assume you’re a greenhorn that regurgitates safety meeting talk, but nothing from experience itself.
Cherokee is EXACTLY right. Go back to when your breaks and lunch didn’t count against your driving time. This makes a HUGE difference during bad weather (snow, ice, fog, torrential rain) when you don’t stop for a break because you can’t afford to, given that you’re driving slower. This change wouldn’t take all that much effort but would, I think, make all the difference in safety.
Most roll over sir are from student drivers that weren’t trained right same as a lot of accidents as a former master trainer I know first hand have the drivers out here shouldn’t be!!!
Been driving 12 years, HOS rules make me exhausted following them “to the T”. FMCSA has severely damaged the industry and quality of driver over the past 20 years. They are the #1 reason for the driver shortage. Please deregulate us and let us make more individual decisions.
The law makers that made this ELD OBVIOUSLY never drove a truck DON’T know a thing about a TRUCKER LIFE and is nothing more than a SUIT and TIE or SKIRT TALE I’ve been in trucking for 24 years actually born in this industry 3rd generation so you want to talk trucking lets talk!! ELDS are unfair to us truck driver trying to make a living I know when to go to bed,shower bathroom drive and break I DON’T need a another person telling me how to manage my life definitely not no computer yes computer are nice but dictating my minute by minute move we operator 80,000lbs people we make sacrifice that most people don’t NO WON’T especially over the road drivers !! Most of us have lost everything as far love one as in marriage most truckers are married to their trucks make family on the road its our life.
So when Transportation decided to walk in and destroyed our home life cause well I’m not quite sure I guess congress can’t stand to see people really enjoying their jobs and making money and having fun so like EVERYTHING that the government touches it turns to CRAP !!
The government got to blame someone for all these accidents out here then you got these Lawyers chasing after these companies and companies settling out of court for the mercy of just to keep from being drag through the mud and the press well if these companies would stop paying out stand behind their drivers fight these case most case aren’t the drivers fault its the 4 – wheelers fault make them pay take their homes,life destroy them like they have destroy us … ” EYE FOR EYE ” … Its time for us Truck drivers owner operator and companies drivers stick together fight these Elds fight Department of Transportation fight Congress fight Government fight whoever and whatever to get our life back we are THE KINGS and QUEENS of the ROADS … No question asked !! When our wheels stop rolling the world goes hungry!! So enough with this trucking was fine before Elds lot more safer drivers can at least take break when they get TIRED they didn’t have a TIME BOMB STRAP TO THEIR DASH !! RACING AGAINST THE CLOCK THROWING SAFETY OUT THE WINDOW NOW CAUSE WE GOT GO GO GO … LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE TO US YOU ADDED STRESS TO US WE ALREADY UNDER PRESSURE WORKING IN A HIGH PRESSURE ENVIRONMENT… !! You just don’t know!!
Gee, really? I recall drivers keeping two or three log books and driving days taking pep pills to stay awake so they can make the big money. Drivers drive fatigued because they want to run as many miles as they can in as short a time as they can. Let’s stop spinning this and just tell it like it is.
Not every driver keeps two or three log books. I’m a 25 year 5 million mile driver and somehow I managed to accumulate them all on 1 log book, ZERO accidents, ZERO late loads outside of other people’s accidents shutting down the interstate with no way around it, weather shutting down the road with no way around it or shipper delays. Multiple logs were NOT the industry standard and just because a small percentage of drivers did it, doesn’t mean punish the entire industry. I can tell you I have seen wrecks multiply since the ELD mandate, not long ago I had seen 6 commercial vehicles wrecked a two day period on the same stretch of road over about 300 miles going both directions. Drivers today are more aggressive, they don’t stop to help others.. for that matter they don’t even call on the CB to ask if you’re ok sitting on the shoulder. We’re in a state of steering wheel holders, not professional drivers we once were as an industry. Both comments I read that you commented on had valid points yet you brush them off with rather silly points of your own. NO ONE disputes that conditions have always been there, traffic, the weather, the cars driving recklessly, sleeping on a ramp… etc. But drivers fighting over parking spots, getting shot at the fuel island because they pulled into the it before someone else, increased tailgating, increased speeding in construction zones, increased speeding for driving conditions is a consequence of the ELD mandate. So before you act holier than thou with your condescending attitude THINK before you speak and realize that these people you are trying to feel superior to (obviously in an attempt to boost your own self esteem) already know what the industry used to be like. KNOW that some drivers NOT ALL (and not a significant enough number to implement ELD industry wide) drivers used multiple log books. My miles dropped but I am in a unique situation where I make more and drive less, if the customers don’t like my time lines… I don’t care. I tell them when I’ll be there based on best and worst case scenarios dictated under the ELD, expect me under either and I will call if my timelines change. Are ELDs completely bad? No… Are they completely good? No… the BIGGEST problem I see with them is the 14 hour clock. I’m ok with companies like Werner, England, Schneider etc. using them. I’m ok with drivers that have multiple violations and can’t manage their driving safely using them. But when you have a proven track record of safety, zero to little log violations (I’ve seen drivers get violations for forgetting to put a trip number on their logs, that isn’t what should determine if you’re unsafe) you shouldn’t be mandated into ELDs.
From a non driver, (I have a business where I work for people interested in getting into trucking) I love the information that I get from this board. It helps me to understand what my new clients are dealing with, so thanks again, you guys keep talking and I’m gonna keep reading.
5 million accident free miles means you didn’t report some small incidents, or you ran all those miles on a racetrack all alone.
I have 31 years and over 5 million miles accident free. That’s miles in all 48 states buddy, no track or incidents not reported as you say. It’s called defensive driving and being a professional which most drivers out here today have no idea about. Shogun you prove the point by your remark
Just another liar if you are saying you have never hit scratched or rubbed anything in 5 million miles. You just didn’t know it or didn’t report it.
You realize you are saying you ran 200k miles a year right? For 25 years? Almost 4K miles weekly. BALD. FACE. LIAR.
Donald here is an example of people that don’t drive a truck and tell people how trucking is/was. He is clueless and his opinion isn’t worth the screen it’s written on.
Most times the hours on the road were company forced. In 1963 I drove load from NJ to Dallas with benny doing 60% of the driving. Many old time drivers did out fear of losing their jobs or owner ops, needing miles just to make payments.
You might be right but I run daytime only long haul routes and ELDs have ruined my life. What used to take me five days now takes six and though there was a slight pay increase it was nowhere near enough to compensate fo the exrtra day that has been added to my work week. I never ran two logs or even cheated mine. That’s not from construction alone which by the way came along with all this. Hmm maybe elds aren’t right for everyone but they didn’t consider us.
If you can’t make a living working 14 hrs a day maybe it’s time to try something different yes you should be able to able to know when enough is enough but some people can’t I remember the days when dispatch would force you to keep working maybe 18 hrs a day and only 6 he break just had to fudge log book I absolutely love the new laws that are in place if you noticed the pay raises we have been getting it would have never happened if these companies could run you all day and nite this is just my opinion just like you have yours peace and drive safely
Jennie,
I couldn’t agree with you more on 99% of all you said ELD’s didn’t help safety and were just something companies used to force drivers to work not give a minute more on breaks I personally had a company falsify my Elog’s on their computer from there desk and caught them doing it but if we do it we get punished wrote up or etc… I reported this company or tried to, to the fmcsa, but they never would or did return my phone call so their all tied together companies, fmcsa, ata all against the driver your right we need to stick together and STRIKE. Yes it is mainly the 4wheelers fault what needs to happen is put the same $2650. Fines on them as they do the commercial drivers and I’ll almost bet a paycheck that things would change as far as phones, texting etc…and like you said anything the government touches goes to crap it has for years.
GOOD JOB!!! Jennie
Well said Jennie!
I was originally in the field of education as a teacher before becoming a dispatcher and I can tell you that the same thing has happened in the field of education–people who have never been in the classroom make critical decisions for teachers and students. Their decisions are impractical and a major factoring in the crumbling of the infrastructure of the education system in our country. I hear you and I hate seeing you guys who are the road warriors having to go through these changes.
I agree, I was a millwright before I opened my business and what would happen is when we had a breakdown in the mill and the part was not available, the company would have the engineers in the office (who never came to the floor to even look at the conditions the part operated in, which caused the failure, would have them make a part that NEVER, EVER worked or fit, which caused more delays. I feel you guys. Again, thanks for this board. I’m learning.
But anything to benefit the farmer yep just keep giving the Agricultural and livestock haulers and exemption it’s not fair we deserve a lawsuit discrimination
You see that’s all we do,talk that’s why nothing will be done they don’t care run your mouth won’t change nothing. As Americans it requires at times to take action,that means you have to do something.
Amen!!!
The government is looking out for the best interests of the people! They are experts and truly care about humanity! You truck drivers just need to realize this and accept it as a fact of life. Who are you all to decide how the country is run? Oh well, who is John Galt?
Love it!
Wow really. I hope that was sarcasm because if it wasn’t I got some ocean front property in Arizona you need to buy. I have seen more accidents out here since the ELDs and I have had to say to drivers are you okay because your swerving all over the road. For those who think these ELDs are great you obviously are not a real truck driver. Steering wheel holders who just want a paycheck have no idea what it is to truly care about your job
Well since we keep the country running, we want a say. Simple.
You are just another brain washed American.It,s a shame that people believe that the government is totally in charge.What happened to we the people for the people by the people.Not only truck drivers but all Americans need to take a stand.We need to take are country back away from these corrupt politicians.And one final note the ELDs are a joke.
Ah yes, who is John Galt? The only man the government would not give their control away because he could truly fix the problems that they had created! Gotta love that!!…
Haha!! Guys seriously, read Atlas Shrugged and you’ll understand this guy is either trolling or making a point.
Who said their experts people controlling people just want to feel power the experts haven’t stopped our kids from being in gangs and killing each other for a pair of shoes or cell phone or car or just get an education where are the experts who can’t get the roads fixed correctly
Breaks should not count against our 14 hours. There are a lot of times I would like to stop and take a short nap or sit down and eat but I can’t because I’m racing the clock.
What the prepis of the ELD I’m a own operator
Ok so who knows what I do on the road
I don’t think the eld is the problem it’s only a device it’s the way it’s been set up like no room for problems like road construction that’s beyond our control how can you plan a trip when you are in 3&4 backups a day also traffic then arrive at shipper or receiver on time but they keep you there 3,4,5 hours now you’re running out of time that shouldn’t count against our driving or on duty time because the average driver would be resting instead of pacing the floor & can’t take your 10 he break there we are human and no two people get tired at the same time and just because the truck is stopped for 10 hrs doesn’t ganrantee you are resting so come on government we are the same as you just different jobs but human thanks.
I drive Montreal Boston and have to ruah this days at all times becouse that stupid ELD device clicking. Never been on rush so much in my life. For me 30min in teuffic is not getting home but sleepinf somewhere in Vermont just becouse missing 12min or less. DOT dont care if its 12m or 2min they just want to look useful on paper.
I am a Carrier and I have PC time available to me. PC time should be more flexible than what it is, because I do not get paid for deadhead miles. I own The truck and The trailer so I should be able to travel anywhere for any amount of time that I want on personal time. If I’m in New York and I want to drive 9 hours to my house in VA on PC time to go home then I should be able to do so without any flack from the FMCSA. The only time that I am paid is when I have a load behind me. Some people have said to me, well the deadhead is figured in.. since when?? Unless Joe Blow says to me hey were gonna pay you for deadhead, then I’m not paid for it. The FMCSA should be more flexible with PC time even when going to pick up a load. I’m sure Mr. Ray Martinez gets paid for every inch of thing he does, well we don’t.
In Europe there are organizations like astray in France and so on that they group all the haulage companies get cash for corropts on of them and change the rules as to make easier to exploit workers. So Mr martinez is getting cash for the party very fast with the transport associations donations for favors, to split the sleep rest means that the driver will not sleep anymore as the haulage companies will sell those hours to loading places as is the driver life so is no weight on them.
With all the madness going around about the hours of service. Along with drives being out too long running off recap. Revamp the recap after 3 weeks you have to refresh. It will also make a fair playing field for those who just abandon there families just to live on the road. Take your butt home .
In Canada hours of service, they have to have 24 hours off every 14 days.
E-Logs are not a bad thing but we do absolutely need a little more flexibility on the hours of service. One thing Iam dealing with is wasting off duty time up to 20+ hours at a customer and not hitting the 34 is killing it. I believe sitting for this much time should in some kind of way be added to your 34 and or your 34 shortened to make up for the lost time. I think all drivers will agree with this and FMCSA should take note and look into a solution. Thanks.
With everyone now supposedly on ELD, why do we STILL count the eighth day against our time. If drivers are getting their daily requirement of rest time, what does the work OR rest 8 days ago have to do with TODAY’S hours. It should be 70 hours in 7 days not 8. The folks that work in other industries are held accountable for the present week inwhich they are working. Why can’t it be the same for the driver??
Someday we’ll do a proper shutdown of this country. Maybe things will get desperate enough for us drivers to actually do it.
We have the power but we don’t use it.
Amen that’s because there’s to many out here that’s SCARED old and new drivers there even scared to talk on the CB we need a shutdown
Well none of this matters to me after Sept cause I’m bailing out of the truck & getting out of this cesspool. 2 million miles is enough & I’ve watched this industry go from what was once a respected profession to an industry of micro-managers hiring mostly degenerates to drive these rigs anymore & b4 Im sideswiped by some fool scrolling through his/her phone I’m packing it in while Im still young enough (50s) to have a life, a quality life at that. Besides any ELD revisions won’t happen anytime soon with all the red tape & politics that will drag on & my time is to precious. Besides, changing the ELD rules won’t change the fact there’s still way too many flat out idiots out here driving trucks that have no business with a CDL. They need to raise the level of entry to get into trucking & raise the wages to get better caliber professional drivers instead of idiots who get a CDL buying some fender-flapping piece of junk at an auction, renting a trailer (um, Chicago comes to mind) & they’re in business running up & down the road like ignorant fools with a complete disregard for any common sense.
Sadly, the good ole days of trucking when trucking was enjoyable are long gone and why I will be too in another 53 days after today. Best of luck to all you real professional drivers out there, hope you get your ELD changes in your favor. Happy trails!
I invite all these law makers to ride with me and see what it is we do and go through out here. I’ve had people rode along and after a week or so in the truck have changed their views on trucks and truck drivers.
Have you ever noticed that the guys that run the big nice well kept trucks usually
don’t run hard and worry about logs, elds, and such. I learned long ago taking it easy and only running when there is real money to be made is where it’s at for me. And I can only take care of me. I can’t stop the ones that think they have to run hard because that’s what they insist you have to do to be able to afford a sandwich. And that’s all they usually eat because they don’t have time to eat a meal. IF drivers and OOs spent as much time worrying about pay as they do about being able to run more for less then there be money and time to eat a meal. REMEBER one of the reasons you work is so you can eat. And if you don’t remember the 3 log book pill poppers you ain’t been out here long. In the 50 years that I’ve been in this the one thing that has not changed is that you can either work for real money or not. Back in early 70s union drivers got .13 cents a mile, a company driver for an outfit like a chicken hauler at that time got .04 cents a mile and all the chickens he could take home to his freezer. Chicken was .29 cents a pound at that time. THINK!! Every time you run harder rates go down. I don’t care if they get more flexible or not, but for those that want it I hope you get what you want. Then what, run more, buy more chicken.
The only thing that needs to get fixed here is get rid of the 14 hour rule. And be allowed to break up the sleeper berth times with a minimum of 5 hours in the bunk. We know when to eat and sleep. Besides if you stick strictly to the sleeper rules, you legally cannot get out of the sleeper for 8 hours. Are you breaking the stupid rule by going out of the sleeper to go to use the restroom? This is the kind of rules that irk me. The senselessly kind that create a catch 22 scenario. I wish the trucking industry was run with greater intentions of humanity.
ELD’s, driver facing dash cameras, and doctors ordering drivers to return to work immediately after injury under the influence of forbidden prescription drugs. Drivers cannot even see a doctor unless approved by corporate being 24/7 work related illnesses or injuries. Been driving 25 years and drivers in the past 8 years have become more and more controlled. Whistleblower protections just get you blacklisted and fired and if you refuse to drive unsafe equipment your pennies per mile are punishment. Dispatchers at the company I work for make bets on who will crash next, what day of the week the next driver will die, number of accidents this month. Video footage saves no ones life and has nothing to do with safety; it’s for insurance to deny liability on claims on death or injury. OSHA and DOL will tell you their job is to protect corporations from CDL drivers.
the FMCSA COULD solve a lot of issues with the eld by going to a 16hr on duty 11hr driving and a 8hr off duty break INSTEAD of 10. This would solve a lot of issues being tied up at the docks. This is why the industry is losing a lot of older, experienced drivers like myself. I have 30+ yrs experience and i know for certain if something is not done about HOS rules, I too will be leaving the industry. The FMCSA also needs to do something about shippers and receivers detaining a driver. There should be an industry mandate for detention time. That would solve a lot of issues. What other industry do you have to man your post and not get paid for the 1st two HRS.
Trucks are very expensive to run ie… insurance, fuel, tires, repairs and so on. I run because I love what I do but the lack of respect that accompanies being a o/o now is ridiculous. From government, brokers, dot, dock workers, 4 wheelers etc… I believe if the people in our country really knew what it means to have trucks on the road then we would not have to worry about elds, money, fuel, home time, tolls, etc…
If drivers came together with reasonable demands on paper and SHUT DOWN. Fmcsa, shippers, brokers, regular people, dot, receivers, tire shops, mechanic shops, truckers stops would then understand that truck drivers deserve better.
IT WOULD ONLY TAKE 1 WEEK AND THE INDUSTRY WOULD CHANGE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME!!!!!!
OOIDA COULD MAKE THIS HAPPEN IF THEY WHERE REALLY FOR O/O. Don’t be fooled!!! (Gov funded to keep tabs on o/o)
LETS WAKE UP AND STOP WITH ALL THE USELESS TALKING. ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS!!!!!
Minimum 2 hours on line 2 should allow Truckers to pause 14 hour clock. That way we can optional shutdown during city rush hours.
One of the biggest issues with the industry in North America is mileage pay, lack of receiving detention and layover pay. Many other countries transportation industry gets paid hourly and are compensated for any type of layover pay, promptly. The industry in North America everyone has always been fighting for places to park, forced to keep driving in bad weather in order to make a pay check.
I do not blame this on any regulators within the our government, I blame the companies/industries deep and heavenly lined pockets. If we as drivers were compensated the same way as Erope for example, everyone wouldn’t be in such a hurry, less accidents, healthier lifestyle, more rest and the list goes on.
I totally blame the regulators within our government. They’ve probably been bought by the American Trucking Association, who represent the large trucking companies. The ATA are the ones who have been jonesing for the electronic logs and are probably the ones who took the rules which were perfectly fine before 2004 and ruined them.
Why did they do it? Probably because large trucking companies have disadvantages that small trucking companies don’t have like a 100 driver managers and 10 safety managers.
The company I work for has 3-4 driver managers and 1 safety manager but only has 100 trucks but they get maximum utilization of their equipment. These stupid new log book rules make my job harder. Hell, I didn’t even notice the change when I was working for big trucking company because I only got 2400 miles a week if I was lucky. With company I’m with now I get 4200 miles a week and my truck can go 75 miles an hour. Of course the rule makers want to change that to,so we all go 65 mph. So I can get stuck in the truck packs that are caused by one slow truck taking 10 minutes to pass other big company slow truck.
LISTEN UP FMCSA! YOU MANDATE THE TRUCKERS RIGHT AND YOU STOPPED THERE. IN THE WHOLE INDUSTRY YOU HAVE SHIPPERS AND RECEIVERS AND BROKERS, THE MEG COMPANIES. BROKERS AND SHIPPERS AND RECEIVERS NEED TO BE IN THE LOOP TOO. THEY WANT YOU THERE ON TIME, BUT THEY WILL KEEP YOU ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 11 HOURS. YOUR TIME STARTS WHEN YOUR WHEEL STARTS TO TURN. BAD TRAFFIC AND ACCIDENTS BAD WEATHER, WE HAVE NO CONTROL OF BUT YET YOU REGULATE US, COME NOW, THE FOURWHEELERS CUT YOU OFF ALL DAY LONG, THEN YOU HIT ONE ITS YOUR FAULT. WE CAN’T CONTROL THIS STUFF. BUT YOU PUNISH US LIKE WE CAN. GIVE US A BREAK HERE. THIS HAS CUT INTO OUR MONEY SO BAD. YOU GUYS NEED TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE AND DO YOUR JOB RIGHT. BECAUSE WHAT FMCSA HAS DONE HAS JUST PUT ALCOHOL ON AN OPEN WOUND AND THEY DON’T HAVE A CURE FOR THE PROPLEM. WE HAVE SO MUCH TO WORRY ABOUT OUT HERE, NO PARKING, AND SO ON. TRUCKS ARE FLYING TO GET TO SHIPPERS AND RECEIVERS JUST TO BE TOLD TO WAIT AS LONG AS I NEED YOU TO. LETS BE CLEAR HERE THIS WAS NEVER ABOUT SAFTEY ALL ABOUT THE MONEY FROM THE MEG COMPANISE. TRYING TO STOP THE LITTLE GUY FROM TAKING CARE OF OUR FAMILIES. THEY GOT TOGETHER AND PAID YOU GUYS MONEY TO STOP US OR SO WE WOULD COME AND BEG FOR THE PENNIES THEY PAID THEIR DRIVER, AND TREAT THEM LIKE DIRT, THATS WHY THEY HAVE SOO MUCH TURN OVER. A DRIVER ALWAYS STAY WHERE THEY ARE HAPPY AND MAKING MONEY. THE TRUCKING WORLD WILL NEVER BE WHAT IT USE TO BE NOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUT THEIR TWO SENT IN IT EVEN MORE. WE PAY TAXES OUT OF OUR BUTS. AND STILL THE ROADS LOOKS LIKE CRAP. MY QUESTION IS WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING? I WILL TELL YOU, YOU GUYS ARE LINNING YOUR POCKETS WITH IT AND STILLWANT MORE FROM THE LITTLE PEOPLE. SO MANY CROOKS IN GOVERNMENT. BUT MY BIBLE TELLS ME OND DAY ALL OF YOU WILL STANT BEFORE HIM AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LIE OUT OF IT. GOD HAS ALL POWER. YOU REEP WHAT YOU SO SOW LATER THAN YOU SOW BUT MORE THAN YOU SO. READ YOUR BIBLE.
How about we do away with the 70 hour rule. With the 11 and 14 hour rules I don’t see a reason for it. Just allow us to use the 11 and 14 hour rules and do away with the 70 hour rule. With a 10 hour break its ridiculous. Especially when you end up taking a 34 hour restart on the road. Its just a waste of time.
Time at dock, if longer then two hr. Should add drivers time to hours to run. Lines go down and driver just sitting, long shows Truck not moving . Driver can get some sleep. Should add to driving time. With the driver shortage you better look at some more way to get freight moving. Loads will not get delivered this Xmas because of hours of service and Truck shortage. Also need industry to wake up and offer more money and some who benefit for Owner Operators with out making them employees.
14 hour rule, is issue for most drivers, if we adopt Canadian HOS rules it would help, thank you
For the moment….I’m in a glider and paper logs…..I’m keeping quiet.
The rules we had before 2004 were just fine. We had plenty of flexibility to do our job. Now we are straight jacketed by those damn H O S rules. I spend more time in the sleeper when I’m not tired and also I’m often forced to drive tired. Those H O S rules don’t take into account for the midnight deliveries or the really tight run that is scheduled to pick up at 1 am when you are normally going to bed.
And also why should I, a person who likes to drive at night, be forced to drive in all these east coast cities’ rush hour traffic jams.
28 years in this industry and ready to move on. I just paid $5.25/gal in Ca. because I needed to get past Cupples without being over weight. Most I’ve paid for fuel in 9 years as O/O. I feel like the ELD holds me back on my earning potential but has it’s ups as well with less paperwork. I think it’s too easy now to get a CDL and not enough training is being provided. Hint: you cant become a trainer with less than 5 years experience. A CB (and knowledge of use) should be required equipment. So many useless changes have taken away the fun and respect in trucking. This is not a career or a job for an OTR driver, it’s a lifestyle. #m2c ……my 2 cents
The current split is definitely not enough flexibility. REM sleep cycles are 90-minutes (1.5H) so any off-duty/sleeper berth split should be a multiple of 1.5H plus time to wind down. That means the current 10H and 8/2H split are okay, but we need a 5/5H split. Any other interval is of no use because waking up before a sleep cycle ends causes drowsiness and that’s why you can’t just “sleep when you’re tired and drive when you’re not”.
The majority of you that have made comments should stop crying and enroll in school so you can learn to write a simple comment.
I’m the kind of guy who can run 1000 miles a day with no trouble every day of the week. I’ve done it for years. I know it won’t work for the entire industry, but I wish they would just do away with the HOS rules. Just let guys do their deal, but make the penalty for falling asleep behind the wheel, or whatever so severe that no one will want to do it. There are so many laws that protect employees now that if a shipper or dispatcher tried to push a person too far they would be held accountable. Then the rates/wages need to be enough where a person doesn’t need to run themselves in the ground to make a living. Trucking is pretty much the only industry where people are willing to keep working and losing money day after day. I’ll never get it.
The thing that upsets me is u get to California and back in a door and that starts your clock and then u sit in the door for 16 hours cause of no product then u get loaded and u are already out of hours…
Back in March of this year representative Brian Babin of Texas introduced a bill called the rest Act I talk to my Representatives representative and I see that he did not co-sponsor sign on to it but he’s an establishment swamp creature look into this bill inner urge your Congressional Representatives to try to get this pushed through it makes a lot of sense it takes away the 30-minute break and allows you to extend your 14 hour work day I don’t know why they waste their time doing doing studies on this Babin came up with a great idea check it out
The answer is simple. The 11-hour total driving time rule is fair and can stick around. Eliminate the 14-hour rule completely. Also eliminate the 30 minute break requirement, and then allow any break period of atleast 2 hours in the “sleeper berth” or “off duty” to count towards the 10 hour daily reset. Change the HOS limits to 70/7 for interstate OTR drivers (70 hours total on a rolling 7 day schedule) and then eliminate the ridiculous 34 hour weekly restart. We spend WAY too much time in the back of our trucks with all these reset requirements. Whenever I am away from home, I just wanna run hard & make some good money, then come home and be able to afford a few days off and you could do that with these rules and still be safe.
I propose 2 week mandatory period in an eld equipped truck for all those people who work on rules for us.
Well I have to say I see alot of good points and alot of really stupid comments as well..
Ive been out here for 31 years, not to mention my dad has been out 52 years and my grandfather drove for 35 years… Here is the problem
For years and years and years companies pushed and pushed and pushed.. and if you the driver refused a load ,, yes. In some cases 1 refused load could have cost you 3. So for some that was the case so we ran in fear… going back to the 70’s and early 80’s .. this industry was a brotherhood we all stuck together we helped one another were we cowboys and broke laws running heavy running over hours using 3 log books to do it and some help popping a white cross or a California turn around.. yep.
Did some of us die from heart attacks or falling asleep at the wheel..yep
Were there yahoos out there that didnt know what the hell they were doin…. yep
This industry is the most regulated
Deregulated industry in this country
If that makes sense.. it should to some.. for you greenhorns it probably wont..lol
The government has their hands so deep into what we do out here its ridiculous as we all know.. but as for sleeping on off ramps or on ramps and wide spots.. that has been since the beginning of time. Those spots are generally used for couple hour naps for myself, ive always found a spot in a truck stop for overnights.
As far as all the fighting and short tempered bullshit. ELD’s did not cause this. This is been the trend for many years and it gets worse and worse.. People today have no respect for anyone anymore its not the industry its our culture in a whole. This industry has become a melting pot and has grown tremendously since the 70’s and 80’s so the government feels it needs to get control before it becomes such a powerhouse it could actually control our way of life… and the truth is.. it absolutely is and has been for a long time but industry gets bigger and bigger and as it continues to grow the government needs to find more ways to control it.. weather its a good decision or bad.. but why do we have people running the transportation industry that absolutely no clue as to what we do?? Is it because you need a college education or is it because you need to be a great business mind… the answer is no..
They dont want experienced people like you and I because they want no opposition.. The ATA is a joke OOIDA is just taking your money… we have no voice.. where is our lobbying where are the people fighting for us..
Im done now.. getting off track
Truckers need to unite. Come together and become an unstoppable force. This country would come to a halt if truckers said, enough. Why is this the only industry that expects you to be on the clock for 14 hours? Every trucking company should pay an hourly rate. Anything over 8 hours is time and a half. 5 day work week. 6 days should be optional. Do some simple math. Divide your pay by the amount of hours you worked that week. Not so good, right? The large trucking companies are taking advantage of the H.O.S. rules. Just because you can legally work 14 hours, didn’t mean you should. Most of these rules were guidelines for the owner operators. There will continue to be a shortage of drivers until these companies start sharing the wealth.
As a inddepandance Bus owner why do we have to go by the Truck E L D rules we stay in Hotels we have a good breakfast we are 9 hrs off. Or more we stop every 2 hrs for 25 minutes we carry seniors or children we rest in between at attractions the only thing sometimes it takes 10hrs or 11hrs and we are on violation what can do for Us we are one driver one Bus we are not a mega company
The HOS are a real problem, not all of us are marathon runners and some of us are. If you hooked up to a loaded trailer at the start of your day, a hard runner can drive 11hrs straight (with the 1/2hr mandatory break of course) but some guys like to drive 5hrs and then at rush hour take a 5 hr nap and then get back out there after the whole 4 wheeler world goes to bed. (This will also free up a lot a parking spaces). I drive team and I hate being forced to drive long fatigued hours, when my partner can’t sleep any longer and he’s up and ready to go before his turn, I gotta stick it out, then by the time my partner gets his turn he’s lost his get up and go. The split time was much better. Let us run the marathon in our own time, how ever we want without going over 11 hrs of driving per day. No one loses! There’s my 1% liberalness!!
I agree 100% go back to the 90’s split berth
I walked away from road in February 2018, 27 years doing compliance and moving my wagon as close to the rules as a drivers common sense and limitations would allow. That’s all that’s really required to being a driver, no one holding our hand out there, just know your limitations and the equipment thereof! The triplenickel59
If everyone puts on their “BIG BOY PANTS” – no offense to the ladies -and start parking your trucks and DEMAND that being paid by the mile or load % is over and everybody is paid by the HOUR including OT.
This has to be a GROUP EFFORT if you want things to change.I know alot of drivers will cry & whine about the financial consequences of such a “strike”…but you would be better off in the end.
Think about “Joe Public ” not having gas at the pump , food on the shelf ,clothes on rack etc etc…anything that comes by truck….EVERYTHING !!
If we parked for a week or two even bet the govt will have no choice once the public starts phoning their representatives about none of the things they take for granted being available.
They want to mandate rules to drive by and how we sleep and eat then start paying a decent
hourly wage for one of the top ten most dangerous jobs in the world.
The companies will have no choice but to comply or they will risk financial ruin just as we are dealing with pathetic mileage / load rates now.
I know this would work as I saw it first hand when drivers basically shut down the Vancouver port demanding better rates / detention time etc…
took about a week and the port gave into their demands.
now their actually paid a professional wage instead of peanuts.
Everyone has to get on board or it work!!
just a thought…
everyone stay safe out there
Lol!
ElD’S are fine if they go back to the split sleeper birth like back in the 90’s, alot of these accidents are due to drivers trying to drive out their 11hrs an can’t make it cause tired especially with the steering wheel holders of today…….. Thanks
Canada HOS is flexible. They should morph toward that.