For years now, drivers have been complaining about the 14-hour rule and how it prevents them from taking breaks to rest when they’re tired. In response, last year the FMCSA commissioned a study into the effects of different split sleep schedules. Now, finally, it looks like that test might actually get started.
All the way back in January of 2016, the FMCSA announced that they had awarded a split sleep study to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. They would be testing various split sleep schedules to see if it would be safe to allow truckers to decide for themselves when they should sleep.
That study is still in the planning phase, but according to Kelly Regal, the FMCSA’s associate administrator for research and information technology, the study is making progress. Currently, plan is up for review by the White House Office of Management and Budget, but Regal says that they expect to start collecting data in the fall of 2017.
Currently, all truckers are required to spend their 8 of their 10+ off-duty hours in one chunk. The maximum split allowed is 8 hours off, then an additional 2 hours (known as 8/2). Participants in the study will be split into groups which would enable 7/3, 6/4, and 5/5 splits.
Participants will be provided with equipment to judge their alertness and the effectiveness of different sleep schedules. Testing equipment includes custom ELDs, front and driver-facing cameras, watches that record sleeping patterns, and a smartphone app which tests reaction response times.
Fifty drivers from large carriers, fifty from medium carriers, and fifty from small carriers will take part in the study as well as at least 25 owner-operators, and 25 teams.
Jesse says
The issue with the 14 hour rule, which I’m sure everyone is aware, is that the driver is forced to drive in order to be able to make the miles he needs to make a decent living. If a driver is tired, he or she should be able to pull over and have a nap for an hour or two, then continue driving. With the 14 hr workday rule, it makes it very hard to do this, as the driver has to drive as much as possible in the 14 hours. That is what makes this rule so dangerous. If the powers that be in the U.S. and Canada(with the 16 hour work day) would do away with just this rule and keep all the other hours of service rules, it would make the roads much safer. Drivers would still be required to take 10 hrs off duty time in a 24hr period, but would be allowed to do it when they are tired, not because the logbook says they need to.
Kevin says
Amen!
Bad Influence says
That’s why the HOS need to be rolled back to the old 10/8 rule. 14 hour workday, that may work in some other fields but not in the trucking industry.
Stephen Baetz says
The 14 hour rule needs to be taken off the books.
We need to be able to break during the day and not have it count against us.
I should be able to rest for an hour or two and that break should be added to time later on.
The 30 minute break before the 8th hour isn’t a good plan either. This should be taken off the books completely.
Driver’s, like myself don’t like to stop in transit for anything.
The sleeper berth needs to be split as the individual See’s fit.
John says
I agree completely. The 30min break forces People to try and find safe, legal parking at times and places when it just doesn’t exist. And I wouldn’t mind the 11/14 system, as long as it stopped for any 2hr+ rest period. The problem would come from the drivers who don’t respect their own safety, let alone anyone else’s and would for example…Drive 6hrs, be told or decide to unload their own truck where it takes them 5-6hrs, and then hop behind the wheel, go pickup another load that takes them a couple of hours, and still drive again until they’ve run out the clock.
ELVIS Shaw says
I agree with that.
Moby says
I disagree with the premise that anyone “has to drive as much as possible in the 14 hours”. The split sleeper rule sucked. The last week it was legal I had only 2 nights in 7 that I was able to get a full 8 hours in the bunk due to having constant 2AM pickups and deliveries.
No one ‘needs’ to work 14 hrs, or even 70. Some would work 100 hours a week if we let them. If you let a 14 hour clock stop you from stopping when you need to due to fatigue you are an idiot, plain and simple. Safety first, not only when convenient.
Kevin says
I can’t sleep more than 5 consecutive hours unless I’m sick. I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. But I can sleep 5 consecutive hours twice a day. Everyone is different, we aren’t robots and should be able to decide what is best and safest for us. Just because the law would allow for split sleep, doesn’t mean you have to
Rex says
Your comment makes no sense, I have been driving since 1981, I drive more often now fatigued under the 14 hour rule than I ever did prior to its existence. Without the rule in place I was able to sleep when I was tired.
Tim says
Please don’t forget that age playing a lot here . See 25 years old body has different needs than 50 years old,or woman body is different than man .
The way I was working 10 years ago for sure I can’t work today .
So they have to come up with the rules (as much as possible ) to let individual to decide how to plan his 24 hrs .again as much as possible
Michael says
I used to run a regular route where I finished the first day at about 17:00, and the next day started two hours up the road at 10:00.
Back in the good old days, I used to finish up at 17:00, then go off duty for awhile. I had a friend in that town, and sometimes I’d run around with him for awhile. Sometimes I would just sit and read. I weathered out the evening heat, the evening tourist traffic, and miles and miles of red lights in perfect comfort and ease.
Around about midnight, I would put her back in gear and head out. After midnight, all but a very small number of lights were set to flash yellow, and the remaining red lights were easy to time with virtually no traffic. I would ease up the road enjoying the cool nighttime air, and I would arrive at the next day’s stop in time to sleep for 8 hours. It was all legal, and it was relaxing, comfortable, and convenient.
Then they screwed up the rules, and now in order to make the run work, they had to get the customer in the next town to agree to receive me later, and I had to head right into rush hour traffic through 100 or so stop lights, and if I caught one of them red, I would catch every single one of them red the whole way up there. If I was tired and just wanted to chill for a couple of hours, tough luck, because I had to do what I had to do to make the run work.
Two hours relaxing that first night would cost me 12 hours of time at home with my wife and kids. I didn’t HAVE to press on, and if I was tired enough, I would have just had to stay out there on the road longer for no extra money, but the whole system of rewards and punishments of the way this deal all fell together definitely motivated me to push myself to make that trip from 17:00 to 19:00 to make that delivery on the first night. I slogged through miserable traffic, hot and sweaty, and ended up having to spend the night in the same place and get up at the same time, due to hours.
All I did was shuffle a delivery from one day to the next and make myself tired in the process.
That and variations of it is pretty much how life has gone ever since 2002, I think it was. Trucking used to be fun, but that 14 hour clock tick tick tick ticking that can’t be stopped for any reason whatsoever (like taking a BREAK to relax and eat dinner with a friend) is just evil. I despise it.
The only good thing about it is that now that I am in day cab world with an EOBR, the 14 hour clock does keep the company from forcing me to work more than 16 hours. If they could, they would. With commute and all the time I screw around on either side of logging in or out, I put in 18-20 hour days a lot of the time. All for a company that posts messages about its “Duty to God” all over the place.
God money, that is.
Bill.comp says
Why do still work there???
Elkhannah says
Trucking is the only industry in the whole country that is regulated by people that know absolutely nothing about it. In the medical industry we have doctors and medical professionals that make up the regulations. In the airline industry there are pilots and other Airline professionals that make up the regulations. Nobody in Washington bothers to ask us what regulations are really needed.
Jacqueline Trotman says
You are absolutely right. How in the he’ll do they get away with this nonsense??? I’m a trucker myself.
John says
I’m gonna have to disagree with you. You take the liberty of deciding for everyone, what they should or shouldn’t be doing, even when it’s fully within the current legal driving hours. If I’m going to be away from home, I’m going to spend that time as productively as possible. With doing so in a safe and legal manner. I could easily work well in excess of the allowed 70hr week because I focus every day on getting the proper rest so I can run a full day without fatigue when I get up. And when I’m doing the long runs, over 1500mi or so, I’m finishing my day long before I begin to get tired. When it takes the most of 14hrs, I can finish the day, park, wind down and head to the bunk. But when it only takes 11 1/2hrs to run out my driving hours, I’m just not tired yet. I could run another 2hrs or so without fatigue at all. Plus, I do a 34hr break every week, even though I don’t personally need to, so there’s more potential hours I could drive. I can do this 7 days a week and be perfectly fine and happy. But make no mistake about it. If I feel tired, or the weather conditions are too severe, I have the good sense to park my truck and rest. If I could make use of the split sleeper rule, I absolutely would. 6-7hrs sleep is all I require. I physically just don’t sleep longer than that, regardless of whether I get out of bed or not. So I’d rather just get up, go and finish my day asap so I can make the most out of my time. If you choose to work only 40-50hrs a week, drive 2000mi or so, fine and dandy. But don’t preach and dictate what everyone else should do.
DEAN says
The true issue is that the “Clock” NEVER stops! As an OTR or local drive on an ELB/EOBR, the clock is always running. Even in the sleeper. Even “off duty” anywhere or at home. Pay all the company drivers more than
minimum wage, and most get less than that, as 40cpm per mile is the average pay for a driver “out of school ” with experience. Then divide 2500 miles average by
168 hours a week
by that 40 cpm
= 5.95 an hour
– taxes and expenses.
What do you have but slave labor and
indentured servants. Thank you to the wise and Greedy powers that be, dating back from the 1930’s Federal Labor Standards ACT.
10.00 hourly, as we all must work ON THE CLOCK, 168 hours a week.
Ditch the 10/8, 14 hour and such.
1680 dollars a week and train the incoming to earn that wage, and weed out the rest. And get some REST.
Wade says
Moby, obviously you’ve never hauled a load that had an unload appointment prescheduled and needed every available hour to make it. Also, if I’m going to be away from home and family for 2 weeks at a time I’m going to work as much as I legally can. Nobody but nobody sleeps 10 hrs at a stretch and I dislike laying around for 4 hrs until it’s legal to go again.
Randall S North says
Are you ok with 16 hours on duty, commute 2 hours, eat dinner, shower, sleep 3 hours, commute 2 hours, work 16 hours, and repeat 6 times? Not everyone wakes up at work, and not every manager cares about fatigue.
sean says
Amen
RAMBO1 says
” Especially because the Driver has no control over detention at the shipper or receiver while the clock is running ! “
John says
That’s precisely why we need the split sleeper rule back. Or ANY 2hr+ break stopping the clock
Nicolas D. says
I drive down to SoCal on a regular basis and many times I get down there, say I’m headed to San Diego, and I have to drive through rush hour traffic at night to make it there before my clock runs out. Adding to traffic, to my own fatigue, wasting hours and risking accidents with the biblical morons that drive cars in Cali. With a split I could take a 3-4 hour break in the desert, get some rest, food, shower then complete the trip timely without traffic and get the rest balance down there.
Efrain Torres says
Amen!
Babette says
Alaska still has the 16 hour work day….
it works fine there!
Wesley Cory says
Well said! I say get rid of the 14 hour rule and a lot of frustration and the number of tired drivers will decrease.
Kahlil Peele says
I total agree!!!
Bee says
Yes, you are 100% correct. Drivers would rest more, take time to eat and relax. Much less stress and aggressive behavior. I
Charles. Clark says
If a driver would go to bed instead of playing video games and watching television they wouldn’t need a nap.
MamaBear says
AGREED!
RANDY BUNCH says
In Canada only 8 hours off is needed. In order to work 16 hours you need to take off 2 hours during the first 14 to earn the extra 2. That 2 hours does not have to be all at once, but has to be at least 1/2 hour at a time. You also earn 2 more hours driving time, I.E. 13 hours. If only the USA would just take advantage of what Canada has already established, things would be so much better. The US 1/2 hour thumb twittling, clock watching break required to drive beyond 8 hrs on duty has to have been dreamed up by an idiot.
Connie Bailey says
Will never work because if you log Off Duty/Not Driving or just Off Duty, you will lose your required 30-minute DOT break. I know this to be true, because it has happened to me every day since I started driving in June 2016.
Chronicpatriot says
I just lol’ed
RheumTrucker says
Fyi if you’re running splits and you limit your drive/on duty time at 8 hours or less (which is common for a split) the 30 minute break does not apply.
Bee says
Good point as well!
Bee says
I am not sure what you are trying to say, but i log off duty and when I am at 30 or more minutes off duty, I get my next 8 hours or how many hours I have left, whichever is less. I don’t loose my 30 minute break.
John says
Your comment doesn’t make sense.
Walter Todd says
Do away with the 14 he rule or give drivers ALL of the split options being tested. Whatever option the”experts” decide is best (based on 200 drivers out of 200,000) will still be cookie cutter rules.
John says
It would still be an improvement
Marcel Dunant says
30 min break is BS too. We should break when wanted!
Evella says
AMEN
Larry says
Yeah, that 30-minute break is the silliest thing I’ve ever seen.
George says
The mandatory 30 minute is ridiculous and a HUGE pain for night drivers. Where do you stop? There’s no parking then and they don’t want you parking in the fuel lanes. AND, who doesn’t stop and take a restroom break or get something to eat anyway!? It’s so stupid! Heck, I get drowsy in the first hour! I’m not going to stop for 30 minutes then!! It’s the dumbest rule ever.
Tom says
If at all…
Walter Todd says
Do away with the 14 HR rule or give drivers ALL of the split options being tested. Whatever option the”experts” decide is best (based on 200 drivers out of 200,000) will still be cookie cutter rules.
Toni says
I have a problem with a bunch of college students deciding whether it’s safe for a truck driver to decide for himself when he should sleep. These are grown men and they know when they need to sleep in when they don’t need to sleep. County Jail does I bet none of them ever ridden in a truck in their life.
Dwain says
They missing the whole point of the 14hr rule that we fusing about gheez. Pencil pushers really get it dont they.(sarcastic)
B'rit Hadashah says
“to see if it would be safe to allow truckers to decide for themselves when they should sleep.”
I don’t know how I’ve survived the last 30 years out from under my mama’s roof. Smh
Les Gvt says
LMAO
Doug says
Sure looks like they got the right sample…150 drivers that never get out their truck except to eat and get their bills signed. Until companies and politics listen to the guys in the trenches (truckers) nothing going to get fixed.
Martin E Neltner says
As a new driver coming on line and a man with 35 years of experience in another industry. I continue to be amazed how rules are made that have no purpose. We have lost trust in each other. There is lack of respect and no common sense. Yes there are the crooks who take advantage of every good situation and abuse the system. Sad but rule makers need to listen to those in the field. It’s an old effective military rule. Let’s begin a new day and work towards timely solutions that work. This is what the Trump movement is all about
Bill.comp says
Martin ,You are correct to a point. The trust issue is the most egregious ! I started driving in 1970, when most of the road to California was 2 and some places three lane.( wonder how many even know about) The truck I drove, had the Caterpillar 3406 A engine and two transmissions, suicide sleeper, longer than Hank’s Cadillac, pulling a 40 ft. reefer. This thing was a beast. One of our biggest delights, was to let greyhound or trailways bus, pass us then pass them back, just to see the drivers face. Very few trucks at that time that could do that. Anyway we ran from Ok City OK, to San fran. CA.,dead head to San Carlos Ca.load and go back east. Hauling cut flowers, we dropped at 17 flower shops, all of them but two were closed when we delivered. Finished in Birmingham Al. Deadhead to Cullman Al. load and back to Ok City Ok. Get home Thurs. Afternoon. Off until Saturday at 10 am. Do it again. Drove for that company for 20 yrs, off and on until 1999. Never an accident, Customer compliant, or a log book violation. Several wasting of natural resources tickets . that New Mexico, called them. They did us that way so we could mail them in, all the other states, except Alabama, they would take you to the judge, and back to your truck. Not a good idea to get a ticket late night. My point being, look back over this and think about, no credit card. no cell phones, no comchecks, no cb radios until mid 70’s Ever week we left okcityok. with $1000.00, in cash for fuel, ice ,for top icing the load west bound, truck was at Bakersfield Ca., washout trailer, at Oakland Ca. Never short, tickets and cash always tallied, That was the way it was done. If a person messed up bad enough to get fired in okla, might as well go to pumping gas somewhere. The floral business functions about 75%, by phone even then. All an owner had to do was call a florist, and in 3 days, the issue would be vetted from coast to coast. then trucking was really good !
John Posey says
As always, it’s only about Control. Government control of everything and everything.
Gabe says
Sometimes I only work 8 hours and will have to take a break because I can’t get back in time. Which I have to sit 30 min unpaid
Randall S North says
Obviously, if they’re doing a “5/5” study, the 14 and the dirty 30, have to be off the table.
Jeanne Berg says
I tell u right now, those sleep watches won’t work for a team. None of that fit bit technology works worth a darn if that truck is moving. All this vibrations count as walking. I am glad for these tests though. There are times i can drive 11 and there are times i get up, drive for 3 hrs and go….NOPE! We should be able to decide when to drive. As long as that load gets there on time. Its gonna take people with good work ethic to get up and go when they need to.
Roudi says
Let’s be realistic, I’m sure most of drivers agree with me, the 10 hr off duty is too much who sleeps 10hr on the road, they should make it 6, also the E log is just something NOT for truckers, once u start it count, it doesn’t care if u stuck in accident or construction or in my case stuck at border sometimes, or shipping, receiving delays, plus once u start ur beating the crap out off ur truck by increase the speed so u gain that extra 1 mile, is that a living? Racing the clock, fighting with the road and truck so u put food on the table for ur family, I think it’s more danger than normal regular paper log.
John says
I’ve been doing Elogs since their beginning and really have no problem with them. They save me a fair amount of time daily. I’d much rather punch a few keystrokes than spend 5min or so writing with pen and book. Especially if I’m tired. And it’s sooooo much easier to make a correction. My opinion would be, let E-logs keep track of what we do…But give us the tools, freedom and flexibility to do the job in what works best for us individually, and trucking would be great again.
gene ezell says
THIRTY MINUTES IN THE FUEL ISLAND AIN’T REALLY A BREAK
Chronicpatriot says
I think it is if you create a line long enough for people to sleep while they wait for the fuel island to open up
John says
Nope. Even if you aren’t blocking anyone. It’s just making your day longer and increasing fatigue down towards the end of your day. If I fueled along with my starting inspection, and was on a long run, (over 700mi), I would just run my 11 driving hours straight through and be done 30min sooner. If I need to stop, I will. If not, I won’t. It’s a pointless regulation that makes trucking more complicated than it needs to be.
Gail Morra says
Stay out of the fuel island for breaks! I can’t stand it and not fair to others who are on slog. I’m not at the fuel island to take your 30 minute break.
Mark says
Anytime the govt gets involved it screws it up ..They should just get out of this altogether ..No HOS ..NONE! .. Just keep logs to show where we’ve been ..Drivers drive ..Most here have been ‘programmed’ to believe the HOS is a help ..Any idiot knows when he’s tired ..Pull over ..Get some rest and get going again ..Simple as that ..Doesn’t take a genius bureaucrat ..or a govt mandate to figure that out ..
Don says
I guess a lot of idiots will drive tired and almost continuously for days before sleeping when given the opportunity. I’ve heard plenty of stories about the “old days” when drivers would keep 3 logbooks, chug red bull, and drive well past when a sensible person would stop and sleep. Safety first? I think it money first, sleep whenever.
Robert Heinz says
“Chug Red Bull”? They didn’t have that in the “old days”. They had speed, meth, crank, coke…whatever. That’s what made drivers so dangerous and EXACTLY why we have such strict rules now. The old timers ruined it for everyone, they just won’t admit it and blame it on all the newer drivers.
Bee says
In the Old days, Red Bull wasn’t around it was the white pill, and others, just saying
Roger says
That is why they should just go to DOT being able to do random drug tests. Yes, HOS was primarily made to stop the drug use that made drivers unsafe. So I agree, they should do away with the HOS but institute random drug tests done by DOT and still keep a log book just so they can see what we are doing.
Rich says
Good on you Don,
Mark obviously either doesn’t realize just how many drivers are unsafe, or more likely doesn’t care, and quite likely is one of the dangerous ones himself. Fortunately for him, no one he loves has ever died due to a driver like Walmart’s, whose fatigue killed Tracy Morgan’s friend.
I used paper logs when I started driving in 2006, and electronic logs ever since 2008. I learned how to maximize my income under both systems. Although I never used two log books, I would occasionally fudge a bit to make sure I parked in a comfortable place with food and showers.
The HOS rules are stupid and have forced me to drive tired, not being able to take a few hour nap, and still make my load in on time.
Here is the REAL solution. Allow a driver to drive up to 14 hours in 24. Force shippers / trucking companies to pay the driver, equal to average industry pay per mile, per minute, from the time of their appointment until the time they get their bills, and get rid paying lumpers, who should be supplied by them anyway. Shippers and receivers can work on the details between them, as freight shifts etc are a factor, but if shippers don’t load properly, then receivers have to deal with shifted loads.
Truth is that all of this will soon be moot anyway, as self driving trucks will make OTR drivers extinct within the next 10 years. I’ve heard the arguments about who will fuel the trucks and dock them, but that will be worked out between the truck fueling stations and the shippers / receivers. They will be safer overall, but the only question I have had reservations about is, will a self driving truck be able to drive when the road markings are covered by snow? They seem to be overcoming that too:
https://www.wired.com/2016/01/the-clever-way-fords-self-driving-cars-navigate-in-snow/
Oh, and Robert, look at some statistics on trucker drug use today. We have so many rules because people need to justify their jobs, and making rules are the job of certain government employees, even when those rules are detrimental. Random drug testing is the only rule that would apply to your assumption, which has nothing to do with the HOS rules.
Rich says
I meant to say up to 14 hours in 24 ON DUTY.
Bee says
Two things! Walmart driver was on e logs and legal! It was not sleeping in his 34 restart that cause him the issues! Stupid and bad judgement, but legal. look at the report, he was in compliance with HOS. Also, drugs/booze were in high use back in the day. I agree with Robert, a lot of what happened back then is affecting us now!
Bee says
Also the way we drove back then had everything to do with HOS or lack there of!
John says
Maybe if it weren’t for the guys who think they can run 12-1400mi a day on 2hrs sleep and chicken feed, they could give us a bone in the H.O.S. regs. But when these ass clowns crash and burn, taking a family of 4 with them, we all suffer the consequences
sean says
This is the problem you have lawmakers creating laws. For trucking and they have never been behind the wheel. We the people need experienced drivers with good driving records to be on a panel for any and all law changes.
Mike Stewart says
The 30 minute break is very easy to get around if you are on paper logs. I did it for a year or longer when I was still driving as an O/O. Say you take off at 8 AM. You will stop around 2 hours down the road for a bathroom break. That’s 10 minutes there. Another 2 or 3 hours down the road, another 10 minute break. another 2 or 3 hours, another break. Just before the 8 hours, you pick a rest area or truck stop you just passed and post your 30 minute break at that spot and time. You save the time you would normally break and don’t have to put up with some government idiot telling you to waste 30 minutes when you are not tired! By the time the 8 hours came up, I was not ready to take a break!
John says
There’s another when a drivers schedule permits it. Works best on the Long haul that take a couple of days. Run the split sleeper rule as it stands. Starting with a full break behind you… For example…Drive 7hrs. Stop for 2hrs. Drive for 4hrs. Sleep for 8hrs. Then repeat until you arrive at your destination. Time spent driving each day…11hrs. Time off duty and sleeper…10hrs. Not 10.5.
James Frost says
Leave it up to the drivers, when to sleep. Providing it must be at least 8 hours documented on Logs.
Big Don says
It sort of looks like FMCSA has suddenly seen the light, as far as this micromanaging is concerned. This, I believe, is just temporary though. I think they are afraid of what is going to happen to them, with Republicans in charge.
But just wait until the Democrats are back in again. Bureaucrats and Democrats…’Nuff said.
Les Gvt says
FMCSA hasnt seen a damn thing- Your new president knows micromanagement is flawed. The good thing about having a president that has earned his wealth instead of stealing it from taxpayers- he knows when you hamper business- it cuts into his pocket book- and the pocket books of those he counts on to keep him wealthy.
John F says
My experience with the 14 hour rule not allowing me to make smart decisions:
ME: Hey dispatch, theres massive storms and tornadoes on the ground ahead, If I stop for a few hours it will blow past or I can re-route around it but it’ll be past my hours to do so…
Dispatch: I can’t help it, your load has to be there at 6 AM and your gonna run out of hours, it will put you on a 10 off with no chance of rolling, keep pushing, be careful, If you get flipped over then we can get an allowance for being late….
(2 hours later)
ME: Hey dispatch, there’s trucks rolled over in the interstate looks like fatalities…..
Dispatch: Good, make sure you note mile markers so I can get us relief on delivery time.
Dan says
I’ve never had a problem with the 11/14. I usually only drive 9-10 hours anyway and don’t even come close to the 14. If I’m tired, I pulled over, take a 30-45 min nap, and hit the road again.
Preacherman says
I believe the system in whole is flawed,I have been driving trucks 35 years,can count on one hand how many log violations I’ve had in 3.5 million miles on paper logs,twice I had to use ELD that things a joke,the fines should be so high that no one will violate,there’s no need to ELDS period it’s cost many people there jobs because everything can be done via computer,the government needs to take care of other things and let companies take care of themselves and there drivers, it’s very simple there is only two cant’s, If you can’t run legally, then you can’t work in this Industry, we were once a respected group of proud drivers,but now look at the disgusting slobs we have now coming out of the so called training schools ,they don’t shower,they sit for there 10 hr.break and play video games then get back behind the wheel and kill someone,these are not what should be representing the trucking industry, don’t get me wrong you don’t have to wear pearl button shirts and cowboy boots,but green hair, flippflops,and piercings that look like fish hooks in your face,shouldn’t be exceptable!!,It’s simple clean up your act do it legally and the respect we deserve for the sacrifices we make to deliver this countries goods will again be given,
Bee says
I agree, no self respect or respect for others, but that has nothing to do with their drivers training. That is lack of mom/dad training and Social norms.
Josh says
The government is for protecting it’s citizens, not for regulating everything they can. They need to stay out of the trucking industry, period. 30 minute meal breaks are definitely one of the stupidest rules I’ve encountered at any job.
I’m a company driver and drive a day cab, so you know I’m home every night, and I’m definitely not a workaholic. 10 hour rule has saved my ass from clocking in 7 hours after clocking out from a 16 hour day several times, but if it means getting the government out of one more thing I’m all for getting rid of it.
Lisa Glavish says
I’m glad they will study this because I believe that the study will show what experienced drivers already know:
**WE MUST HAVE A CHOICE TO USE A SPLIT FROM 8/2 DOWN TO 5/5**
It is crucial, however, that company drivers truly have a CHOICE, and cannot be forced by their dispatch to use a split. Owner operators should try not to book a load that doesn’t really have enough time on it, or at least plan for a couple of easy days after delivery.
For company drivers that feel they are coerced into driving when they’re tired – regardless of available hours – tell your dispatcher; and make SURE you state this in a format that can be saved for proof. If via QualComm take a picture of your ‘sent’ message and their reply. Same goes for texts or emails, make sure you keep a copy! Download a recording app for phone calls if necessary.
The 14 hour rule doesn’t affect a company driver’s need to take a short (2-3 hour) nap… it’s the carrier/dispatcher that does! But it is YOUR responsibility to plan your trips and tell your dispatcher if you’re running too hard, if you just need to slow down for a couple of days etc. I used to tell mine that ‘I needed some time on a load’ – dispatchers aren’t mind readers, you’ve got to tell them!
On the other hand, it is a dispatcher’s responsibility to listen to you and protect you from over zealous load planners and unrealistic brokers. Dispatchers should adjust a delivery time for you if you let them know BEFORE you pick up the load.
In today’s political climate for trucking safety, we – the drivers, have more power than we realize. Just imagine how a judge and/or jury would view a mega carrier that terminated a driver because he/she said they were too tired to drive and was concerned about falling asleep behind the wheel – regardless of available hours!
It is now ILLEGAL for a broker/shipper/receiver/carrier to threaten a driver/owner op with a fine, demerit, or any other negative action for being late when circumstances such as weather, traffic, mechanical failure, loading/unloading delays, sickness/fatigue that causes impairment…etc…causes a delay that can only be made up by running over hours.
If your load gives you enough time to get to the receiver but the receiver refuses to allow you to park you cannot be forced to park at a truckstop 5 miles away then come back to deliver a few hours later. You need to contact your dispatcher or broker immediately and advise them of the dilemma. They will either need to reschedule you or force the receiver to allow you to park there.
Come December many brokers, shippers, and receivers will be in for a surprise when the mandatory EOBRs affect all drivers, regardless of whether we are independent or not. It will level the playing field between owner ops that run legal and believe in safe driving practice vs owners & carriers that cheat and run dangerously tired.
MrYowler says
The court just ruled against a guy, in a high-profile case, who got fired for refusing to freeze to death in his truck, babysitting a trailer with frozen brakes, in a truck with no heat. There is plenty of argument about the details, and what should have happened before things got to that point, but once there, I have to say, I’m not willing to freeze to death for anybody’s load. Fire me if you must. The courts will not necessarily side with the driver, just because he was right.
Also, in many states, it is illegal to record a telephone call, or there are requirements that vary from state to state, for doing so. Some of these laws apply to any call passing through that state, and it’s almost impossible to know where and how a call was routed, when it arrives at your cell phone. For whatever reason, it’s okay for the carrier to record both video and audio of you spanking your meat in the truck, but not okay for you to record your dispatcher telling you to drive through that tornado, or he’ll have you fired.
It is what it is. And what it is, sucks.
Bee says
Not to be ugly, but what are you saying? I have been driving for years so I read your post and disregard. I am a grown women and know what I need to do to get my job done safely, but this so called advise you are giving is not 100% accurate and just might cause issues for a new driver that doesn’t know better. I guess you must have had some very bad companies and dispatchers you dealt with! WOW
Les Gvt says
require shippers/receivers to pay drivers $60/hour detention -cash,check, or prepaid card- tax free on the spot, and let the company charge what they want for their truck being detained- and 95% of the detention issue would be resolved in less than a month
Les Gvt says
also- have it uniform that all loads go on detention after 2 hours- which means they better hire more receivers at kroger, and Lays could pallatize instead of floor loads
James says
It wasn’t broke before they called themselves fixing it the first time. All this time the new rules have been out I haven’t seen any shippers that have honored it.They waste your time and want you to leave their property when they are done with you.
MrNA says
” They would be testing various split sleep schedules to see if it would be safe to allow truckers to decide for themselves when they should sleep.”
Reminds me of the Suicidal Tendecies song Institutionalized. How are “they” gonna decide what is best for me ? And just like the song, the testing will be done in an institution environment and not in actual life reality. The current HOS werfe based on testing drivers in simulators. ( that was the best they could do in the late 90’s ) I personally knew one of the guinea pigs and she said the environment was not realistic and more annoying than fatiguing.
I hope Trumps says let’s cut the money for this test, drain the swamp of the bimbos thinking this shit up and reverse what MADD and CRASH took away from the current HOS. You drivers gotta remember,, or do the research and then preach it like you believe tgo every politician in your district. Now is our time. The sleeper berth extension works !!
I am very happy this convo got turned to pay. That is the gist of all of this. The special interest of safety technology are reducing your pay. Their agenda is to reap money at the expense of diminishing your worth. Sounds crazy but it is true. All in the guise of safety and good intentions. So take your pick. Sit in the drivers seat and believe all this technology is ensuring you and the public are safe while your pay goes down. Demand more pay for your quality. Or demand more pay for operating under the cost of technology ???
Mack. says
Got red of the HOS all together. We knowwhen we’re tired. There were days when I could do a 1000 miles, sleep 4 hours and do another 1000. Then there were days when I could do only 10 hours. I never, for 20 years had an accident. I wish the government would concentrate their energy on making sure we have somewhere to safely park and rest in peace! W/o the damn Police knocking on our windows! The industry is talking about a shortage of drivers. Where are all those extra drivers they hire, gonna Park their rigs?!
Dave says
Unfortunately this test is only testing to see about our 10 hours off. Nothing to do with the 14 hour work time. So it’s a big waist of money and time. The rule as it stands now say that during our 10 hour break we can’t do anything except sleep. Not watch tv or playing on our phones or anything else. They aren’t even looking at our driving/work time. So either way it’s a no win for us. They need to go back to the 10/8 rule where we could make up our own schedule as long as we had a consecutive 8 hours off.
Mike says
Same problem, government decided sleep schedule, they need to decide when I’m tired so they can control my sleep time.how’s that working out?
CA-FL says
I think also the pay per mile is bad too.
If the driver get pay per hour (eg $24), he don’t need to force himself to drive fast and faster, more mile, and get in the next curve a rollover!!
Also, when the companies gave you a mentor… It is not to learn, but to make more money on your back… Because, you drive as team… The truck moving 24hrs no stop!! You sleep like an animal. NO RESPECT.
+ they always give you OTR job…
It is for it I stop driving even I love drive.
I am so sad to see this in a beautiful big Country.
Jason scarff says
I’m glad these tests are being done. I 8/2 all the time because of my sleeping pattern. I used my smart watch to monitor my sleep and in 8 to 12 hrs of rest I get on average 4.5 of rem sleep. These trucks are uncomfortable, loud, small, and awful. I do better sleeping 8 drive all I can then sleeping 3 and calling it off duty. It plays out better and is easier to make the miles these companies want us to do
Charles. Clark says
I myself was happy to see the 14 hr rule and electronic logs, I was getting fed up with dispatch telling me to catch a nap at the loading dock, that load has to get there.
Rob says
I feel we should drive 12 hour days and a 24 hour reset i dont need to sit for 34 hours because i ran down my 70 hour clock in 6 day and a 16 hour work day.
Craig says
I giggled at the sentence that says to let drivers determine for themselves when they are tired..
Thats funny cause no one else has ever told me when im tired..
Robert G says
Fact is all the rules in the world don’t make a difference. Some drivers are irresponsible no matter what. The penalties for irresponsible drivers need to be more severe.
Edward Butryn says
Take away the 14hr rule, drivers will be forced dispatched to loads and pushed. If they claim they’re tired, companies don’t like that if they have hrs to drive. Take that window out, opens a door of tired drivers.
Felix says
The driver need to be able to stop the 14 clock and restart it as he or she see fit every one has different needs in sleep
When you start your 14 you can’t stop it if you could you would have better driver and happy driver
Neil Pawelczak says
I agree with just about everyone. When I started trucking you couldn’t drive more than 11 hrs before a break and could split your sleep schedual. If I got tired I could pull over and sleep for 3 or 4 hrs if I wanted to and not worry about running into a 14 hr rule that could cut short my day. And I will tell you I was much more rested then than I am now. We aren’t lying that the 14 hr rule is FORCING us to keep running even if we are tired. If you stop and rest and oversleep you just missed your delivery or pickup because you were being responsible and getting the rest you needed. That gets us fired. Its like we are being punished for doing the right things.
Barb says
One thing we have all forgotten, “Trucking is a profession that chooses the person, not the profession that a person chooses.” I have seen people go to school at high tuition to learn to drive trucks, last 3 to 6 months and decide it is not something they want or can handle. Then they are stuck paying off the student loans they got into just to find that out. Trucking takes a lot of common sense more that anything else. When trucking was fun, was when the rates were good, and the pay was good, and people were courteous. If the government wants to help, put the hours of service back the way they used to be before the 14hr rule, and regulate the rates to a sustainable living. If they want to do something wild, make the companies pay overtime for hours worked over 40. So the drivers and O/O’s can make a better living. Trucking is the only profession that works more than 40hrs per week and does not get overtime. Either pay overtime or raise the rates.
blue devil says
the split system will help with people with short runs etc
Joe Hoover says
We got to get them too change the electric log first. So u can stop the drive time. If not it’s not going to make a difference when you stop. If you stop it’s still running the clock out on the 14 HR rules. The government has no idea what going on. Or how the eld is going to affect the trucking industry. It’s not going to work like thay think it is. We all need to start working together as drivers and put our foot down. Or just keep letting them run over us. Think about it if we stop running the country stops. With out us no one will have nothing. All you driver’s have a safe trip. And think about what they are doing to us.