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Is going off duty on elogs while driving under 25mph a violation?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by DoublePump, Oct 5, 2014.

Page 1 of 8
  1. Oct 5, 2014 #1
    DoublePump

    DoublePump Bobtail Member

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    Oct 5, 2014
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    I'm recently graduated from school with a lot to learn and first time on the road with a trainer. My question is "going off duty on elogs while driving under 25mph a violation?" Everything I read says it is against statutes, but he says it is perfectly legal.

    Our qualcomm elogs are setup that if you drop your speed to below 5mph you can go through a few screens and change your driving status from "DRIVING" to "Off Duty Break" As long as you stay under 25mph or less than 2 miles total distance, It won't automatically switch you back to driving.

    We drive flatbed, and when pressed on time, my trainer will take his LC/TC or his (8hr) 30 min breaks sometimes while going through a construction area, dense traffic, train tracks or going slow through city driving. The other day he had accumulated 27 mins through 7 mile construction zone by flipping back to off duty every time it started to put him back as driving. He was so close to achieving 30 min break, he impeded traffic for 3 more minutes to keep his speed under 25 mile until 30 min break was up.

    He will go off duty while at stop lights to save his 11 hr clock all for driving.

    He says this is perfectly legal? Is he right or is it a minor? or major log book falsification?
     
    DoublePump, Oct 5, 2014
    DoublePump, Oct 5, 2014
    #1
    blairandgretchen and Sik_Life Thank this.
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  3. Oct 5, 2014 #2
    drvrtech77

    drvrtech77 Road Train Member

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    No it's not in any way
     
    drvrtech77, Oct 5, 2014
    drvrtech77, Oct 5, 2014
    #2
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  4. Oct 5, 2014 #3
    Lyle H

    Lyle H Road Train Member

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    Let me see if I understand this correctly. Your "trainer" will actually take his eyes off the road driving through construction zones to mess with his e-log device? And at stop lights too?
    Brilliant.
    I hope you take every thing this "trainer" taught you and put it in a trash bin.
     
    Lyle H, Oct 5, 2014
    Lyle H, Oct 5, 2014
    #3
    baseballcoach, j76ny, DoublePump and 5 others Thank this.
  5. Oct 5, 2014 #4
    blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    South west Missouri
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    Errrr, the "Impeding traffic for 3 minutes to achieve 30 minute break" bit is NOT COOL, nor safe, nor courteous.

    I'll throw the elog into 'Sleeper' (we're team), if stopped in traffic/accident etc, but I doubt it's legal. Until the company tells me to do otherwise, I'll continue the practice, but I'm under no illusion as to the 'legality'.

    We do a lot of things out here to 'get the job done' that may or may not comply with 'company policy' or "DOT regulations', but so long as I'm safe, then I'll take the heat later. So far, no heat.
     
    blairandgretchen, Oct 5, 2014
    blairandgretchen, Oct 5, 2014
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  7. Oct 5, 2014 #5
    TheDude1969

    TheDude1969 Heavy Load Member

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    NO not legal. But if your unit has a personal transit option it is possible to drive while off duty.
     
    TheDude1969, Oct 5, 2014
    TheDude1969, Oct 5, 2014
    #5
    DoublePump Thanks this.
  8. Oct 5, 2014 #6
    DoublePump

    DoublePump Bobtail Member

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    My trainer is sloveny and offensive. 7days without shower or brushing his teeth, texting and driving, using his phone for music selections while driving down the road and speeding through construction areas.

    He has a foul temper and loves to threaten me with putting me out on the side of road if heaven forbid I inquire about maybe taking a shower every 3 days as it gets pretty "RIPE" in the truck or safety related issues he may find offensive. Even through he gets free showers and doesn't use them, I pay out of pocket for mine since it isn't my card I'm fueling up with.

    No one likes a rat, but the reason for asking this question about the violation is because I'm considering sending a video to our SAFETY department of his antics just so it wouldn't be my word as a trainee against his word as a 3yr veteran with the company. CYA
     
    DoublePump, Oct 5, 2014
    DoublePump, Oct 5, 2014
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  9. Oct 5, 2014 #7
    xlsdraw

    xlsdraw Road Train Member

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    There are some things a trainer should let a trainee learn on their own.
     
    xlsdraw, Oct 5, 2014
    xlsdraw, Oct 5, 2014
    #7
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  10. Oct 5, 2014 #8
    blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    This kind of story annoys the snot out of me.

    I wouldn't worry so much about your elog question - but a short video of him fooling around with his infernal cellphone whilst driving would probably be a worthwhile tidbit to show the safety department as you request a real trainer.

    Dare I ask what company . . . ?
     
    blairandgretchen, Oct 5, 2014
    blairandgretchen, Oct 5, 2014
    #8
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  11. Oct 5, 2014 #9
    freightwipper

    freightwipper Road Train Member

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    that's messed up, he doesn't shower AND doesn't let u use his shower credits that will expire anyway. go figure

    depending on the company you're with most likely that video will mean nothing
    they care about money most of all and they'd lose a lot of money firing not only a driver but a driver trainer.

    but don't feel too bad... this could have been you http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-here/39618-werner-trainer-craps-himself.html
     
    freightwipper, Oct 5, 2014
    freightwipper, Oct 5, 2014
    #9
    Sik_Life, DoublePump and OPUS 7 Thank this.
  12. Oct 5, 2014 #10
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Longview, TX
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    One day, maybe a year later or maybe 5 years later, you will find yourself in a situation and you will remember what the trainer today was "showing you" and you will see why/where such an application might be used, and it will all make sense to you then. But if you're going to "rat him out", remember, that at some point later in your driving career when you're doing something a little "questionable" (and you will), consider how you're going to reflect back on this moment.
     
    STexan, Oct 5, 2014
    STexan, Oct 5, 2014
    #10
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