The Great Logbook Scam

Just make sure you don't give him the wrong book....

 

You don't mean someone would actually run more then 1 do you? I can't believe it!

 

The fact the DOT keeps changing the logbook rules shows they don't know what they are doing. Yet we are required to follow their lead. I can't count the times I was legally required to drive tired and then to rest when I wasn't tired shows their program is not effective.

Many of these rules where built around truck drivers staying up days at a time doing bennies and other amphetamines. Instead of just stopping the drug use, they feel they have to babysit us 24/7 now. They can brainstorm all they want, stand on their head, their laws will never tell me to sleep or stay awake and be right about it.

They come off the money and make a driver drive the same time day after day, then they will be close about the human bodies needs and more lives will be saved. But society is willing to sacrifice lives for money.

Trying to find another way to beat the system doesn't work. Just keep building your logbook around the time stamps and they know no different. The DOT calls this falsifying. The driver calls it making money as the company, shippers require and when I'm able to drive.

The DOT needs to back off the driver and take a harder look at whose controlling when a driver drives. You can only pick up at this time. You can only deliver at this time. Wake up at 5am, sit all day waiting on a load. Okay it's 3pm, you should have had your 10 hour break and slept even though you just woke up, now drive all night. It's legal, you're not tired according to the DOT. Yeah right. Try making the shipper and receivers accomodate the drivers needs instead of the drivers accomodating their wants.

This is the problem that needs fixed. Claiming fifth amendment rights won't get you anywhere.

 

Thanx DB for the info but can you shut them down for not having it up to date, if when updated, would show they're legal to continue driving?...

 

Yes he could but it is really officers discretion. Don't be an ### hole and you might leave with a simple warning. Be an ### hole and you'll leave with a ticket or maybe not leave for 10 hours if he wants to shut you down. Or better yet just be sure your logbook is up to current and you have no worries.

 

Yes I can. Let's take for instance I stop you today 11/11/10 at 1500 hours (3 p.m.) I request your log book and your last entry is on 11/09/10 at 2100 hours (9 p.m.). If you are missing today, yesterday and any portion of the day before, the driver is cited for fail to record/retain previous 7 days log book and placed out of service for 10 hours.

 

To a certain degree I agree with you. I don't know how you could regulate the shippers. I wish I could charge the brokers that "plan" and force driver's to run and run hard.

 

I have seen the charge shown here on the stats on the company I am leased to.

I had just assumed the drivers were not keeping logs at all.

 

in my humble opinion--anybody who runs two logbooks is just plain crazy
loose leaf is so much better
but its much easier on the brain and the body to run legal--

 

Let's pretend for a minute that the DOT and every other organization has absolutely no right to look at a driver's log. Who gives a flying ####? I'll happily maintain a current log, respect any officer I come across (whether he/she deserves it or not), and submit my paperwork. Not because I have to, but because there is no reason not to.

If you are living your life based solely on what is ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED of you, why not move to another country where their laws (or lack thereof) are good enough for you? I mean, seriously, this is a childish attitude. One, which I might point out, many kids have outgrown.

Keep in mind, I am not saying that the current HOS regs are safe or not. Quite frankly I'm completely new to the industry and lack the experience to have a valid opinion either way. I'm not new to life though (some of you old-timers will argue that) and I'm tired of whiny crybabies and conspiracy theorists.

I'm glad I live in Canada. That's all I have to say about that, lol!