stupid idle laws

Considering it is state laws, I really doubt the feds are out to get you.

 

I agree. All vehicles these days with the exception of the older ones run more efficiently on cleaner fuels than they did in the past. Idle laws in my opinion should only apply to old technology. My tractor is EPA smartway certified and is clean idle certified in the state of California so I should be able to idle whenever I want. I guarantee you there is less emissions coming out of my stack than my reefer or most APU's. After 300k plus miles, the inside of my stack is surprisingly pretty clean. That oughtta show ya how clean my exhaust is.

 

Well, these laws were enacted because there are drivers out there that have to idle no matter what the temperature is, even if they aren't in the truck.

Also, the anti idle lawss should be enforced on ALL vehicles, let the 4 wheelers get popped for one of these $1000 anti-idle tickets and see how long the law stays around.

 

If all drivers refused to travel to states with those laws they would be changed.

 

The key word is "all". They'll just fire you until they find the next sucker standing in line.

It's funny OSHA will raise a stink over no sign on the wall or no lines painted on the ground, but it's okay for a trucker to die from heat exhaustion.

That's what we need. We need a few drivers dying from the heat. Then we can change things. Any volunteers?

 

You really think they would care?

You would be hearing from the company. We let them idle when it is needed.

Why did the driver not go to a motel?

 

I think there is way too much big brother in trucking. Technology has overtaken it too. I started trucking in the late 80's. It was fun. No computers, cell phones, drivers used their cb's. We helped each other out. There wasn't any grass growin under the trucks. We did it the way we wanted to. Took rest breaks when we wanted etc. So yes, I know the good 'ol days are gone. Now there are EOBR's, Qualcom's, even video camras in the trucks so your boss can watch you drive, or pick your nose. You must use a designated route or pack your bags. Heaven forbid you get fuel somewhere other than a Pilot. Well for what it's worth, I don't drive for a company that has any of the above, I choose not to be told when to sleep, or drive. There are still a handfull of small companies out there that let us do it how we want to, and can do the speed limit in any state. But we the people are the ones that sign a contract with a comapny before getting hired, right? You want to go to work for a large carrier, you sign something saying you won't exceed a percentage of idleing, you will fuel here, you will go on this route, etc. There is even a company that makes you sign, saying if you exceed the idle time, they will take money out of your check. Well, you signed it, so don't complain. My point is, we the people let the government, and CEO's, spit on us. While your sitting in Needles Ca., with no A/C, and it's 120 inside your truck, think about why you agreed to live like that. Truck drivers should have had the balls a long time ago to stand up for what is right and not let the industry get this bad. I called a company the other day for s***'s and giggles to see what they had to offer a driver with 20+ years exp., and a squeeky clean record. They offered me 31 cents a mile. I bout spit my soda out my mouth, and told the man to have a nice day. Drivers, please don't let your company treat you like crap. Demand a comfortable life out there. Life is too short to not be happy. Give Calif a big middle finger smile and never look back. If I went too long with this, I'm sorry, it just frustrates me to see so much regulation these days, and nobody wants to anything about it. Just sit there in the seat, sweat pouring down, watching the clock on your black box waiting to put it in gear and drive tired. We did it to ourselves people.

 

I started in 1977 and we had HOS laws back then. The company wanted to save on fuel back then too. We just got around them. Maybe we got around it because back then we didn't have schools pumping out untrained drivers left and right. Give me a good radio and a square box Whistler and it was 72mph with a 290 cummins hauling on the back roads in the south. Of course I would have to add a few gallons from another company truck once in awhile! But yeah I agree it was a much better life when people treated us like Knights of the Road.