Question for those who say you cant drive fatigued

I pulled over and shut down when I was 'excessively' fatigued

and I didn't CARE WHAT MY DM OR THE OTHER COLLEGE BRAT EDUCATED IDIOTS thought!

My my life is more valuable than the freight In the trailer

 

I have pushed the limit more than I would have liked but if I'm having a hard time keeping my eyes over, I pull over even if it's an on/off ramp for an hour or two.

in the case of that walmart driver, idk if you ever pulled for them before or not but they milk every hour out of your 11/14 every day... Your dragging ### by the end of the day. The runs between DCs, stores, and pickups are usually short runs on avg about 200 miles or less but it's an all day affair with them. I quickly learned to start lying about my hours but they keep track of them too so they call your hand when you lie. As a company driver for them, they see your log your screwed and only other option is to play the I don't feel safe card.

 

As a driver you and only you are responsible for your freight and your equipment. There are no excuses for driving while tired. We all have a middle finger.

 

I would also suggest texting or Qualcomming the fact your tired as well. Avoid a he said/she said situation and they'll never say its a problem if you say "I don't feel safe". If they do, you'll have recourse. Out company doesn't want texting, dispatch loves it though and so do I as it covers "everything" to protect me. CYA, having it in writing is big part of that.

 

you should post this all over TTR

on the walmart accident thread, on the "elogs make you safe" thread, on the "i am a company rat" thread

 

If you're tired learn from the best,your dispatcher and lie. Or you can tell the truth and if they can't take no for an answer tell them no anyway and hang up.

 

I was at a receiver the other day checking in. A driver walks up checks in and they told him he was late it was $250 late charge. He didn't say why he was late but if he was tired and needed to nap now he's being penalized for it.

 

As you build relationship with your dispatch they should learn how you work best too. Mine will not give me anything between midnight and 6am, he knows I won't do it, thats the ONLY time i can sleep, anything in other 18hrs is fair game and we get along just fine.

 

Many of my dispatchers were the same way.They know how I run and the most productive.Thats the way companies should operate.Eliminate less fatique and more money on both sides.Its not like companies can't find drivers to cover certain loads rather then picking on a driver that's already tired and exhausted.

 

There is a difference between being flat our late...and being late giving your company enough time to do something about it. Dont just show up late without letting anyone know way ahead of time