IMPORTANT! NEW HOS Sep. 14 2007

As a team, usually hauling time sensitive loads, my hubby and I usually drive 10 hours each, per day... I think I can live with the 10 hour part of this...BUT losing the 34 hour restart really bites. After playing with number a bit, we figured out that we could only work 8.75 hours to not run out of hours. That includes all on-duty not driving time. That's just not going to cut it when you figure in the time waiting at shippers, receivers, getting fuel, eating meals. If, under the new ruling, a driver uses up his 70 hours in 5 days (14 hours a day), it will take 3 days to regain any hours; in 6 days, 2 days until you can drive again; 7 days, 1 full day. Correct me if I am wrong on those figures. I am wondering where all these trucks are going to park on their down time... and how much more fuel is going to be burned by those who have to sit for 3 days at a truck stop. And there is the obvious issues of getting the freight to a customer on time. No, this may not affect EVERY driver out here... but I think it will affect more than not. AND I'm sure it will affect the cost of all consumer goods, in the long run. After listening to the Midnight Radio Network last night, they made some very valid points... One thing I agree with is that until we ALL drive legal, no one can truly gauge the effectiveness of the HOS rules. If we all drove legal, I think there would be a huge negative impact on commerce. Personally, I don't see that happening. Truckers are the most creative people I know and are pretty much forced to "make it work" in order to maintain a decent income, but by doing that,we send the message to these groups like Public Citizen, that their rules actually work. All I forsee is more and more creative logging in the future.

 

I still haven't seen what the impact is, tho'. Are we talking about less hours to drive during 24 hours? Are they going to increase the hours (unlikely) or severely limit them to less than the 11/14? I just caught this, but I have to go to work. I planned on registering in the truck driving program at the local JC in October. What role will this play on one's income and job security?

I'm not too well versed in the DOT regulations, although I know they're trying to restrict things so much that truckers will be earning $5.85 an hour soon. What is your understanding everyone? Thanks for your replies.

 

I don't remember the whole article. But the part I remember is it is felt that the 34 hour start over time doesn't suppress the fatigue of a long time driving over the road.

 

Just reading between the lines here...but if the reason to eliminate the current HOS regulations, for new reulations, is to prevent driver fatigue, ensure safe and efficient motor carrier operations and save lives...as they say...tells me that you will be driving less then 11 hours a day and reseting longer then 34. Time will tell.

 

Yep
Isnt that what I just said??

 

In my best Steve Martin...."well excuuuuuuuuuuuuse me"