E log vs paper

Yeah, get in a fatality accident and that free wheeling attitude with paper will rob you of something. Your freedom locked up in a cell...Or at the very least everything you own.

Before everyone jumps on me, I'm not saying paper alone will put anyone in jail over elogs... I'm saying this guys attitude using paper.

 

Enjoy your paper logs now but one day we all will be on elogs.Like I said I prefer paper because its just easier.But I know paper will be a thing of the past in the not too distant future.

 

That maybe true but I for one will not give up fighting to keep it from happening. Granted about all we can do is be vocal to our Congressmen and Senator's and people we meet but its better then saying I know its coming so why try.

 

Just for the record just seen wherd NTSB confirmed the walmart driver was trying to beat the clock he had 28min remaining and 25 miles to go. Would love to know exact time of start and stops as the paper runs off 15 min intervals and the elog is to the min so the extra couple min may have had him not pushing quite as hard. I know you e-lovers will will the timer staring him in the face did not make him push but he made the poor decision to push trying to avoid the call from safety. Its our nature to do all possible to keep our jobs.

 

At my company you have your choice of e-logs or paper as long as you don't get a log violation in a dot inspecton ,then you have to go on e-logs permanently. I have always been on paper and I feel like e-logs would be a severe disadvantage and loss of control . Some drivers I see on the road that have e-logs seem to be under a lot more pressure than me, they are often speeding past me in construction zones. Many of us came into this industry because we didn't want to be constantly monitored and we want to make our own decisions.

 

They'll just say he should have trip planned better.

 

That's true. You can fudge a few things with paper for sake of convenience and still have a pretty close looking approximation of what really happened. I just don't really like having to think about it all the time and would prefer to let the computer do it, especially if you're doing a lot of stops throughout the day.

It's not like you can't falsify electronic logs by moving the truck while off-duty.

 

What a lot of drivers forget is that all the regulations and rules being put in place for hours of service and elogs is due to the decisions other drivers made to cheat paper logs. Perfect example is the Tracy Morgan Walmart accident and the i55, arsenal road accident. Both drivers found at fault for accident, both drivers found guilty of log violations. I'm OK with either system. The company I drive for now uses elogs. I love them not just for convince of doing the paperwork, but for communication. I keep in constant touch with my fleet manager and I have Internet right at my fingertips. And yes I make good miles everyweek. My average this year so far is 2200miles and I'm home every Friday in the morning until Sunday night or Monday morning depending on freight. From talking to other drivers on the road I have found that most drivers are afraid of elogs because they don't have much experience with them. When trained properly you can make the most of your day with no issues. On year 2 of driving and have yet to violate or have any problems with mine. Be safe and keep the wheels rolling.

 

Riddle me this......where in the heck did your data come from??

 

I am not aware that the Wallymart driver was "found guilty" of anything just yet......and certainly not of a log violation.