Log violation (general/form and manner)

form and manner can be

driving 11hrs straight, EVERY DAY

every stop is 15 min without any off duty break

illegible log sheets are form and manner because if you are scribbling something down, there is no way to say where you were unless it is clearly able to be read by an officer or even your office

along with the other issues mentioned

its basically saying that they caught you messing up but cant prove it

 

Also, the idea e-logs is somehow going to "prevent violations" is way off-base. e-logs can't prevent a vehicle from rolling or shut a vehicle down on a busy freeway when driving hours aren't available. All e-logs can do is insure violations and incomplete entries are permanently recorded and not "fixable" later. (at least some are not fixable by the driver)

Call me crazy, but I half way expect to see log violations and fines for 2014-2016 to exceed log violations the occurred in say 2008-2010 ... as law enforcement finds it easier and quicker to audit an e-log driver than a paper driver.

 

Just as easy to get "form and Manner" in e-logs as it is on Paper. On paper we can at least fix them when we find them.

Fail to log the shipper/consignee etc.

Forget to put the trailer number down, mark where you did your fuel stop, etc.

 

I'll disagree on that too...

1. Start at the front of the vehicle , with all lights/flashers going , as you approach the vehicle you look it it up and down , check the condition of steering tires/lug nuts etc. Check fuel tank level and make sure cap fits correctly , Check the oil/and other fluid levels such as coolant , windshield washer fluids.

2. Start the engine, make sure the oil pressure is good , while waiting for air to build-up check mirror positions , horn , (both electric & air ) seat-belt/s etc. after this the air should be up, it takes seconds to pump air down to check alarms/warning lights and emergency valves all are seen to be working.

3. Out of the truck , check all electrical/air connections making sure lines are not crimped/or kinked and are free to move. check rubber strap/ bun gee cord on back of cab to make sure air lines and pig-tail are not dragging on cat-walk or rubbing anywhere.

4. Back on the ground, check trailer air line connections as well as electrical connections , under the trailer to make visual check of fifth-wheel jaws , back out , and down the left side checking for and damage from previous trip , lights/side-signal-lamps making sure that air lines on the underside aren't hanging down too far and hangers are in good shape , tires/lugs/spare tire and trailer slider-pin locked.

5. Across the rear of trailer , checking marker lights on top/turn signal/4ways DOT bumper license plates/lights. If trailer is not sealed ,open doors , check load condition/load locks for proper placement and operation , close doors making sure that both top and bottom latches work properly , seal trailer if needed.

6. Back up right-hand side repeating the same as the left.

It took me longer probably to type this than it actually takes to do it............. I think I've got a decent idea of how to inspect a vehicle....and how long it takes to do it..the right way. Also...after a over 30 year career with zero accidents that speaks for itself.

 

we can go round and round on that all day. 15 minutes is not sufficient to properly inspect a vehicle.

here's a quick refresher for you on a "brake check". Seems you are missing a couple "minor" steps. And you still haven't even started to inspect the rest of the vehicle. Fastest I have ever seen this completed accurately is 8 minutes. And that's if you don't mess up a step.

Nor have you done a visual inspection of your brakes, drums, adjusters, steering components or suspension.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=396.11



http://www.cdldigest.com/pre_trip_inspection/brake_check.html

 

You are right, we can go round and round all day pal...to each his own...I'll let 30+ years of safe accident free driving and I'm only guessing here at the very least 2.5 million or more miles , be proof of my method/s. I did something right I guess. Be safe.

 

I'm not saying you need to take 2 hours every morning to check every nut and bolt is tight. But suggesting to new folks (whom this sub-forum is for) that you don't need to any inspection at all is kind of dangerous. Stuff like brakes aren't going to change overnight and so require inspection less often. Things like making sure your tires are inflated properly, no one pulled your fifth wheel release, your glad hands are still attached (and to the right coupling) etc are definitely things I look at every time before I take off. And until you get a feel for what doesn't need to be inspected every single time, it's better to be safe then sorry. Not everyone comes into this job with 30 years experience or a knowledge of mechanics sufficient to know what needs to be inspected every day and what doesn't.

 

I think some of the confusion coming in is....

What's prudent to verify the condition of the vehicle? One surely needs to get out and walk around/on/under a vehicle to check it over. That includes opening the hood etc...

What's required by regulation to be LOGGED for vehicle inspections? There is no requirement for an inspection to be logged or a minimum time. Only a DVIR HAS to be completed at the end of the day.

 

I do a very thorough pti everytime I pull new equipment (it includes a full brake check, and it never takes more han 10min btw). I don't feel the need to do the same level of inspection on subsequent days pulling the same equipment -- a 1 min walkaround checking lights and tires satisfies my curiousiy.

 

As a team driver I've learned not to update my log in a moving truck, especially I-40 in Arizona (where they "fix" the road with a sign that says "Rough Road - 63 miles"). This greatly reduces the problems with handwriting.