E-logs and Reality

Not to start a debate on this touchy subject but being a newbieand just learning this trade I am looking at it from a different standpoint than some of you.

After reading some threads on this and the new HOS I have come to some conclusions of my own.

1. E Logs are here and no matter what we say, they ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

2. Loopholes exist in every "law" and E Logs are no exception. Drivers are not dumb and will find ways to escape their confines. Either run illegal or find a company that doesn't use them.

3. Deny someone something and it only makes it more desirable. If the government keeps tightening the belt in drivers it will push more and more of them to do things outside the law. It will help increase the number if outlaw companies and ensure that there are more dangerous drivers on the roads.

4. As for big business lining the politicians pockets (you REALLY don't want to get me started!) This goes back to the beginning of time. You can't stop it but you can be aware of which one's contribute, to who, and how much. Make your decisions on your career and voting habits based on that. It won't change things but it can Moe things a little better.

5. I know...and y'all know that most times fatal accidents involving trucks were directly related to an irresponsible 4-wheel driver. No industry regulation on us will correct the problem. (and why do we get regulated but the 4-wheelers don't. Ie:the hands free law!)

5. There are enough trucker in this great land to actually DO something about it. (Not with a strike or through a union!) Make your voice heard. Vote, write your elected officials, speak to groups who are against truckers, and QUIT throwing your trash and pee bottles around like animals. Act respectful and you will eventually be respected.

 

3. If you are with a decent carrier there is no need to do anything outside the law . BFI's on the one hand and the very small carriers that are starving because they can't survive on the rates on the other hand are actually the minority .
Most of us have no problem making a good living running compliant . Auditors are getting more thorough and using more and more technology to find those in noncompliance .
(second) 5 . Write to your representative and if you don't include a check for at least $1,000 all you'll get in reply is a form letter .
Anti-trucking groups choose to be deaf and blind regarding any facts that oppose their agenda .

 

I agree with you whole heartedly, myself I don't like seeing all those pee bombs along the highway, but we can't blame thosr entirely on truckers, i've seen more then one four wheeler ross bottles of urine and other garbage out there windows to, maybe its time to educate all citesens about the clean up act. Sorry if I misspelled amything, i'm not a fan of thishones made for kids. You all have a great new year and be safe. B104 10/4

 

You know a DECENT carrier???

I realize that writing your reps is sometimes a mute point BUT if all/most of the drivers in a district start loading up the mail then they usually will take notice. I didn't say it would be easy, but aren't the regs making it hard on us??? An eye for an eye kinda.

As for those stupid groups...they need education. Who better to give it than the one's who are experts. I also believe that with many truckers videoing their drives it might be easier to show them just what y'all have been saying for years. Truckers are not the root of the problem...it's irresponsible 4-wheelers most of the time.

 

I don't like the idea of Elogs myself. For the majority of the time I can easily log as I go on my paper logs and still be within the rules. There are sometimes when running elogs would hurt me but it sounds like them days might be done since one of the furthest growers is not contracting to grow spuds this coming year. We just have to finish emptying out the warehouse, which will take about a week runing 14 loads a day 24/7. Once they are empty then we are back to 500 or less mile days.

 

Mighty big IF there - all/most drivers . I've watched the requests for comments on proposed regulations . How many millions of drivers are out there and on the hottest issues maybe a few hundred drivers will comment . Take the speed limiter petition a few years back . About 600 drivers sent opposing comments . There were over 3,000 comments supporting speed limiters BUT the majority of those opposing gave legitimate research results proving speed limiters increased the risk of accident . All comments in favor of speed limiters simply said they wanted speed limiters . Not a single comment could give a reason why speed limiters should be mandated .
On the new HOS proposals why were the driving hours kept at 11 ? IMO Teamster supported Democrats demanded changes in 2008 . ATA funded Republicans gained control in 2010 and really wanted no changes but compromises had to be made .

 

Quite a few actually...But they all have less than 50 trucks and DON'T hire inexperienced drivers.

 

My personal traffic nightmare record was 6 hours from Russell Rd., to Gary Indiana on a Friday afternoon/evening during Christmas shopping season several years ago. What I truly wonder if E-log recorders are mandated is how much it will cripple the productivity of this country's transportation in places where traffic is terrible.

 

I don't see e logs crippling any driver since companies will hire more drivers to handle what the existing drivers could already handle on their own legally BEFORE tougher regs. I also know that rules were meant to be broken and you can bet your bottom dollar there are some smarty pants drivers out there figuring out how to help the rest of us do our jobs "legally" with e logs.

 

That will never change. A law gets passed and someone somewhere will bust there arse to figure out a way to beat it, get around it because some folks have a mentality that they will do whatever they want and no one can tell them otherwise. However, I would imagine if they are caught it will be hell to pay.