Hotshots Requesting Accurate Info From DOT Officers Who May be Here...

I've often thought if a driver had x amount of yrs with no tickets or accidents,put something on his license so there would be no need to keep a log book.I know that sounds crazy,to treat someone that has proven he/she can be an adult that way.But if u screw up,u would loose that status.

 

Thanks. Yeah, SHO-TYME mentioned off specifically. Good to know drivers still have some privacy/liberties when on our own time. I certainly hope all drivers get plenty of rest, But it is on them to assure they do. Not "The Man". --No offense. LoL.

Me win at blackjack? That WOULD be a stretch.

 

If I stop someone and they are fatigued they go out of service anyway. If they fall asleep and wreck, well........then I take care of that too. It's up to the driver to ensure he is rested and able to perform at the operation of a vehicle.

 

Yeah , like when they screw up and kill somebody .

 

The number of drivers falling asleep at the wheel shows enforcement and discretion of LEO's is needed . Complying with HOS isn't enough . The driver that fell asleep and hit a car killing teenagers resulting in the formation of PATT was 100% legal in his logbook .

 

I'm glad guys like diesel bear take into consideration if someones tired or not. I know not everyone needs 10 hours rest, but hopefully your intelligent enough to get the rest that your body requires before heading out on that big road. When some people are up all night ratchet jawing on the CB and playing tiddlywinks in the truck stop then hit the road the next morning with insufficient rest, they should be put OOS.

I say this because I experienced it, I worked my tail off for a company running darn near day and night chasing a dollar bill and when it caught up to me I totaled my #### near brand new chevy pickup, and im still paying off the debts from my accident and busted up teeth hurting me everyday because my air bag made me punch myself in the mouth and cracked my teeth...

 

I tend to find must people who dislike leos are the ones who keep getting caught trying to cheat, not to say some leos aren't just plain a holes. but Ive been caught more then my share and find must of them are very fair, got to remember the responsibility they carry on there shoulders. to be honest, you couldn't pay me enough to do their job.

 

Unless you sleep in a motel you won't have a receipt. You could stay with a girlfriend or relative. Perhaps the problem comes in when it is logged in the sleeper berth. If you don't have a sleeper then maybe it should be logged as off duty rather than in the sleeper.

 

It is organizations such as PATT that do much harm to this industry. While it was tragic that someone lost their life, it is not a reason to attempt to force your will on an entire industry. They want to dictate how we work and do our jobs, even though they have never driven or worked in this industry. I used to raise my speed in Ohio just to keep from falling asleep at the wheel. At 55 mph the rocking of my seat would literally rock me to sleep if I kept my speed at 55. If I bumped it up to 62 or 65 then it didn't happen. Before they raised the speed limit I have actually gotten up from my sleep and been wide awake. After driving for a short time at 55 in Ohio, I would start to nod off. I am so glad that they raised the speed limit. I noticed it more on I-75 than other places around Ohio. Since the speed limit has been raised, I have not experienced the same problem of nodding off.

 

Yes, you can sleep in a tent... or not.

It is law enforcements business insofar as assuring you are compliant with regulations requiring you to be in an appropriate condition to drive. If you are not exhibiting any symptoms of "fatigue", nor are you in an artificial state of alertness due to drug intake, then however you achieve that condition should be irrelevant... so long as you don't falsify your logs by stating you were in your sleeper if you weren't (or if it is non-conforming as may be the case in this forum).

As far as "fatigue" goes, it is something that is quite subjective. As the Minnesota State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section found out, correlation does not imply causation (that, and the fact that a driver can't be asked a bunch of questions violating their rights ).