Do you run illegal on your logs?

I can say you are right the truck stops are full at many given times, however DOT states you know what truck stops are full at what time of the day "usually". Honestly I had many drivers come in running their mouth saying do you know this truck stop is busiest at this time etc to try and use it as an exscuse and I say listen you know it's going to happen so you should plan 1/2 truck stops before it or after it to stop BEFORE your 11 or 14 hour rule. DOT does not allow any driver to run over their 11 or 14 hour rule to find a "safe place to park". They allow that only for Adverse weather/ unexpected conditions (most weather issue's are known prior to dispatch, not always but most).

So what I always suggest is plan when you get your load to be held up 2-3 hours at the customer and make sure you have enough time to get to a truck stop or a "safe place to park for you" and if you can't ask your dispatcher to move the time or have the load relayed. If you run it illegal:

YOu could get in an accident on the way to deliever (or leaving the delivery) and get in an accident (not your fault or your fault) and the attorneys find out you was running over your 11,14 or 70 hour rule (which is easy to discover by the experienced) and the jury/judge may sentence you to prison or out ragious fines. So I just warn you be legal at all times.

No I understand your world is not perfect, I REALLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYY DO! However the FMCSA (Federal Goverment) has made these rules and you are legally bound to them as a truck driver. You should be taught this as you sign your school papers etc. However not many drivers are being trained properly/fully on their log regulations. It's the most IMPORTANT tool in your career

Good luck

 

Oh and just because they send you a message does not mean you have to start your 10 hour break again. It's basically your call. Constitent messages between you or the dispatcher would interrupt the sleeper break or 10 hour break. Being sent a message to check on you is not an interrupt, however if you don't feel like you are safe to drive the next morning you can tell dispatch you did not get enough sleep/didn't sleep well etc and they should understand. I am sorry to say in the same respect make sure you are getting the required rest to full fill your sleep needs when DOT requires you to .

 

That's why I always tell a driver in training "if you go over your hos" write down why you did it. If you are a new driver and you are not aware of the truck stops being full at certain times etc, then "maybe" they will give you a break since you was honest and didn't wait to get caught.

The point is write down "BEFORE" you get pulled over what happened (it's like we teach our kids be honest upfront and the punishment is less harsher, however sometimes we as parents lie depending on what they did).
So do what you have to, but using that exscuse every day or every week will wear thin on the officer and feel you are using it as just that "an exscuse"
Hey I fully agree with you, you don't always know etc.That's why split breaking knowledge also comes in handy. So know the HOS all of them on the back of your brain!

I am not against you drivers, I just stress the legal regulations and stress you should follow them

 

The Judge has a lack of the actual regulation or he feels the same as me .
Either way don't take them chances to many times. This question is specifically asked in the regulations and is copied and pasted from the FMCSA website

Question 28: Does the emergency conditions exception in 49 CFR 395.1(b)(2) apply to a driver who planned on arriving at a specific rest area to complete his 10 hours driving and found the rest area full, forcing the driver to continue past the ten hours driving looking for another safe parking area?

Guidance: No. The emergency conditions exception does not apply to the driver. It is general knowledge that rest areas have become increasingly crowded for commercial motor vehicle parking, thus, it is incumbent on drivers to look for a parking spot before the last few minutes of a 10 hour driving period. The driver should provide the reason for exceeding the 10 hours driving in the Remarks section of the record of duty status.

Question 4: Are there allowances made in the FMCSRs for delays caused by loading and unloading?

Guidance: No. Although the regulations do make some allowances for unforeseen contingencies such as in §395.1(b), adverse driving conditions, and §395.1(b)(2), emergency conditions, loading and unloading delays are not covered by these sections

 

that company should not of done it

Ok as long as we are both on the same page. I just like to make sure it's clear you may not always get a judge that isn't so understanding, however I would hope they do. Now get involved in an accident and it be a serious one, that's a different subject as you know them darn attorneys

Good luck and keep up the great logging.