As EOBR mandate, CSA 2010 loom, on-board technology takes center stage

Ron, the one part that doesn't work in this case is self governing our selves. Most companies and drivers only want to apply the rules when it suits there needs.

With out EOBRs and black boxes nothings is going to chance the HOS complianceand other crap drivers have to put with. As it stand right now, a company can bully a driver into braking the rules by holding the job over his head, then blames the driver for any accident that happens.

This is what you get when the industry will not control themselves.

Mark

 

So you choose to break the law and then cry when people want you controlled. You are a criminal, simple as that.

There is absolute no reason for you to violate HOS rules, if your customer doesn't understand the rules, you need to educate them. The reason we have such a logistical nightmare is because the trucking industry just paid lip service to rules for so long. Now technology is coming around to bit the industry in the ###.

I don't wish to be an O/O, I already looking into. It is very hard to make a living doing it legal. One day your number may come up while you are driving the last 30 miles to the shipper/receiver out of hours. Then you'll be one of those driving we all hear about going to spend quality in government controlled housing.

Mark

 

I hear what you're saying and understand completely . But unfortunately you're going to find out just how much those idiots in Washington can tell you what to do .
I don't know how EOBR's are going to show what a driver is doing when the truck is shut off or idling though .

 

You don't really believe a "black box" is going to change that do you?

Companies will always be able to starve out drivers ...

And you don't honestly believe that this is in some way for "drivers safety"?

And did you really mention airline pilots?

Like maybe the ones who crashed in NY - and the co-pilot was earning about as much as a first year truck driver?

Have you researched the average commercial pilots pay from say 10 years ago - compared to today, as regulation has steadily increased?

Black boxes are championed by big company trucking, including "sudo-small cos' (conglomerates)" for one reason ... to quash what they perceive as a competitive disadvantage they have to owner-ops - nothing more.

It touches me how you concern yourself with "future truck drivers", which will be a majority immigrant by the time this law even takes effect (if enacted).

These will be the same ones vying for your job when your company decides to cut costs ...

Understand that I do "get" most of what your saying - and you seem to have descent intentions - though ill advised ...

But I am hard pressed to see the sweeping benefits you speak of - in any industry ... when this type of "Draconian" regulation comes into play.

 

Hi Markk; I'm not against black boxes or any device that provides some evidence that a driver is being lawful and safe. What I am against is the government telling owners what they must do.

One suggestion I have would be that drivers themselves can opt to purchase and install black boxes. The government if they wish can offer tax breaks for these. This way a driver can protect themselves if they wish, or if a driver gets along well with his company, he may decide not to get one.

Likewise an owner/operator may decide not to invest in a black box. But as with most new technology, it will come down in price (like GPS units) and at some point all trucks will have them. (Like airbags in cars).

But why does the government have to push companies over the financial edge at this time during a recession.

Lastly my idea is just one thought of by me. There are much smarter folks than me out there. I'm sure there are other ways to help drivers.

 

If they were concerned about safety and driver fatigue then make more parking spots available so I can go to bed when I am tired,instead of shoving another mandate down our throats.If I have to buy a black box it will come directly out of my operating capital.That means less money for upkeep and more hours behind the wheel with nothing to show for it.This expenditure isn't going to make me any more money so it's kind of a tax,unless uncle wants to pay for it. While they are at it get rid of the 14 hour rule so I can have my nap back in the afternoon,if they really care about safety.

 

I believe all companies over a certain number of drivers SHOULD have EOBRs but I think that single o/o and smaller companies need to be left alone they are already operating at the bare min in terms of profits now as it stands.

 

What do you think of has a small company? I would say 5 trucks total, running under your number. Every truck should still have a black box that can examined in cause of a major accident.

Mark

 

The American Transportation Research Institute has completed a feasibility study about EOBRS. This link gives the "short and sweet":
http://www.atri-online.org/research/results/173972_EOBR.pdf

 

This is from the ATRI (American Transportation Research Institute) website:

Truck Parking Initiatives
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials(AASHTO)are working together to document the numerous state and national truck parking initiatives that are underway. Among those include the assessment of truck parking issues, activities and developments.

These folks (ATRI) seem to be the "go to" guys for DOT, along with UMTRI (University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute) and UGPTI (Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute). The truck parking research is underway so who knows when it will be completed and put into DOT's hands.

It's interesting, to eqq-heads like me anyway, that the research results ATRI publishes seems to find their way into trucking regulations pretty often. (CSA 2010, for one!)