HOS what's the point?

I do get sleep while at many shippers and or Receivers, If I am in my sleeper sleeping, that is where I am logging. No one tells me that just because I am backed up to a dock that I have to be out there working.

 

When I took my CDL they asked me if I needed someone to read the questions to me or if I could take it written or on a computer.
I asked what they meant and was told you could have someone read the questions if you could not read.
They then showed you pictures of signs and as long as you knew what the shape and color meant you passed.
I nearly retired right there.
Point is you can, or could back then, pass a CDL test and not be able to read.
Scary.

 

Federal regulations require that anyone who wants a CDL needs to be able to read and write the English language. I am amazed that they would encourage people to violate those rules. But, then there are thousands of immigrants who can't read or write the English language who are driving across this country.

 

And who is watching the "watchers"????? Making sure the "watchers" are NOT changing the data (EOBR) so the watchee can deliver that "HOT" load for a "GOOD" customer. Any mandatory EOBR Law just opens a whole can of worms, so to speak, of other unneeded Laws to protect someone or something of a problem that just doesn't even exist to begin with.

Look at the governments own statistics on road safety. If you keep an open mind and look at those numbers without any prejudice it becomes clear, very quickly of the reasons/ causes of road deaths. I'll give you a hint, It's not Trucking related and certainly not fatiqued truck drivers.

 

1) Almost every truck driver drives tired... Scratch that, EVERY truck driver drives tired... If the say they don't, they lie... it's really that simple.

With this said, driving tired, and driving so fatigued that you can/could fall asleep behind the wheel at any moment are 2 different things.

2) I've ALWAYS said there were less accidents... The reason is also quite apparent... Which of course has NOTHING to do with HOS regs.

3) Some loads also save lives... example: Few years ago in a heavy ice/snow storm power was lost in Several towns... diesel backup generators were used in hospitals, and nursing homes etc... Fuel haulers rought it in in very less than stellar road conditions. And the drivers were also very tired... hmm? I digress, no load it worth it right?

 

I like lunchbrakes and I read TTR when I'm on my 10 hour brake.....

 

Why do people drive Macks then?

 

Shred you claim that you will drive tired. And no not all drivers do that. You can not possibly know every driver and have no idea of their capablities. Just because they are either cautious enough, or in good enough shape to out perform you does not make them liars.

Now back to your supposition which was two fold.

You claim it is pointless to have HOS because drivers can decide when they are tired. Then admit you regularly drive tired to make money, meet schedule's, or satisfy your boss. So when in your fantasy they repeal these laws we are expected to believe you will not push harder when the reprisal of fines and suspensions are imminent for that behavior? Sorry common sense dictates you will be worse. Especially as evidenced by your posting your scared to pull the plug on driving now in the limited driving your allowed.


You claim the current HOS is more dangerous, and causes more accidents because of drivers trying to meet schedules. But by your own admission there is patently no evidence supporting that. And if you go back and look at the late 90's 00 change fatigue related crashes diminished, just as they did when the split sleeper was redone.


Carry on all you want. The HOS is here and is not going anywhere. In fact fairly soon when they link CSA into your license( oh maybe 4 years) and have mandated Elogs across the board compliance will become the norm.
















Yes to all the sleeper loggers you can log it. Before people would log it just to stop the clock. So the clock was changed. It baffles me people wanting to work more hours instead of charging better and managing better.Somedays I think the HOS protect you from yourselves.

 

I'm pretty sure I've already stated that I don't think that HOS and safety are mutually inclusive. Who's watching the watchers? The dude from the DOT that comes to audit the company is, any changes clearly state the name of the person that made the change and a reason is required. I could give a care if a Tyson load fails, likewise I could actually care less if you violate the HOS. I will however NOT change a log if there is not a valid reason.

 

I have a friend who recently went to work for a carrier who has elogs. The company has already had to go into and change his logs a couple of times. For those of you who think that elogs make roads safer or can't be manipulated or changed, you need to think again.