Posted by semisweet on August 03, 2006 at 07:49:15:This is my view of the long-haul trucking regs that went into effect last October.
To summarize, the DOT has issued mandatory regulations that restrict our driving to conform more to a "shift-work" operation, even though that's NOT how we're paid, and that's not how things get done in this industry.
In a 24 hour day, we may drive for (hypothetically) a couple of hours to a shipping warehouse, where we spend as little as 15 minutes or as long as 6 hours at the dock. We have to get out of the truck to check in, sometimes twice: once at the guardhouse and once at the shipping office. Then maneuver around and back in the dock. If the shipper doesn't require our presence on the dock while loading, we can get a nap at that time. Good luck, though, because the forklift driver doesn't care how hard he hits the floor of the trailer, and it can be extremely disruptive to any quality sleep.
Then back to the shipping office to get the paperwork, close the doors, and oh, wait a minute. Now we have computer work to do and log book to maintain. About 15 minutes.
Let's say this is a 500 mile run. You've been up since 0500, driven 90 minutes to get to the shipper, and spent another 2 hours in the dock. You finish all your computer work and paperwork, and leave. You drive for about 3 hours, it's now nearly noon. You're starting to feel a little fatigued, and there is a big city ahead, like Chicago.
You don't want to drive through the city less than on full alert, do you? This is an 80,000 lb truck and trailer. No. But do you have any options? Can you stop and rest?
According to the DOT, no. Not unless you want to take a full 8 hour break right now. Well, what if you did? If you did that, your load will be late. Besides, you only need a nap, not a whole night's worth of sleep.
You've only worked what.. 6 hours? The DOT expects you to complete your run all in one shot. Why? Because their regulations say you can only split the mandated 10 hour break once. The two hours at the dock counted as part of that, and are also counted against the driving hours because it wasn't the longer 8 hour break. Only the 8 or 10 hour break resets or stops the clock.
Is this CRAZY?? I have been driving for going on 10 years. I have a spotless record. I've never had a moving violation. Never had a chargeable accident. And the DOT wants to micro-manage my life. Tell me when I can - or more importantly - CAN'T sleep.
I just thought I'd bring this issue here, because it impacts thousands of drivers every day. We drivers would like to see the regulations overturned.
- Re: Trucking, the DOT regs and conflict Over night Driving 09:43 8/04/07 (0)