Reduced Idling Means Certain Death!
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09-30-2008
#2
Orangetxguy , 04-20-2008 08:18 AM
While the study itself is interesting...I did not see where reduced idling is going to result in death to drivers.
#4
From the article:
. . the greatest impact of job-hopping may be in the area of safety. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to gain a better understanding of the extent to which truck crashes during long-haul, over-the-road operations can be linked to churning among commercial drivers, and to identify strategies with the greatest potential to improve driver retention and safety.
and . .
Addressing the poor working conditions that contribute to driver turnover and safety problems is an urgent need in the industry. To a degree, larger and more comfortable sleeper berths, which are found in newer model tractors, may help as will more and better rest areas . .
. . the greatest impact of job-hopping may be in the area of safety. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to gain a better understanding of the extent to which truck crashes during long-haul, over-the-road operations can be linked to churning among commercial drivers, and to identify strategies with the greatest potential to improve driver retention and safety.
and . .
Addressing the poor working conditions that contribute to driver turnover and safety problems is an urgent need in the industry. To a degree, larger and more comfortable sleeper berths, which are found in newer model tractors, may help as will more and better rest areas . .
#5
For some reason the government does not really equate conditions that are too hot or too cold with a lack of rest when it comes to truck drivers. If they did then they would either ensure there were federal provision for idling a truck in order to maintain a safe and comfortable temp in the sleeper while a driver is resting or mandate APU's for all sleeper equipped trucks.
#6
Quote:
As long as the govt. types are comfortable in their air conditioned office cubicles, that's all that matters to them.Originally Posted by Uturn2001
For some reason the government does not really equate conditions that are too hot or too cold with a lack of rest when it comes to truck drivers. If they did then they would either ensure there were federal provision for idling a truck in order to maintain a safe and comfortable temp in the sleeper while a driver is resting or mandate APU's for all sleeper equipped trucks.
#7
Article nuggets (in quotations):
"It has been documented that the trucking industry has experienced a shortage of qualified drivers."
The dirty little secret is that there is no driver shortage--especially in this temporary economic/transportation slowdown. Rather there is a shortage of companies willing to pay a decent (dare I say good) "salary" to attract and keep quality--GOOD and EXPERIENCED--drivers (As in example, Tonn M. Ostergard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crete, said as much in this article back in late '06.)
"There is...a high turnover rate among dispatchers that creates a situation in which dispatchers often do not know the drivers personally. Furthermore, available research indicates that the behaviors of dispatchers are a key influence on a driver's satisfaction and likelihood of remaining with a particular carrier."
50% of the reason I left a national OTR fleet in 6-months time for a dedicated regional OTR fleet was due to the dispatcher.
"Driving a truck, especially long-haul, is a difficult lifestyle. There are long and irregular hours, poor living conditions on the road, and large amounts of time away from home. Often these conditions are exacerbated by poor treatment from shippers, receivers, and even their own company personnel."
Really! Go figure!
"When asked to identify hallmarks of "good" trucking companies, drivers showed a surprisingly high level of consistency in their responses. Specifically, when drivers were asked what makes a trucking company "safe," the following indicators were mentioned:
• The quality and quantity of safety and training programs;
• The level of respect for and compliance with regulations and policies governing CMV operations;
• Maintenance of clean facilities and equipment in good working order; and,
• Recognition of drivers with good safety attitudes and driving records."
Amazing! Drivers can actually agree on something!
All in all, not a bad article. Now if only good things from this article could be implemented in OTR (as well as local) driving positions.
"It has been documented that the trucking industry has experienced a shortage of qualified drivers."
The dirty little secret is that there is no driver shortage--especially in this temporary economic/transportation slowdown. Rather there is a shortage of companies willing to pay a decent (dare I say good) "salary" to attract and keep quality--GOOD and EXPERIENCED--drivers (As in example, Tonn M. Ostergard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crete, said as much in this article back in late '06.)
"There is...a high turnover rate among dispatchers that creates a situation in which dispatchers often do not know the drivers personally. Furthermore, available research indicates that the behaviors of dispatchers are a key influence on a driver's satisfaction and likelihood of remaining with a particular carrier."
50% of the reason I left a national OTR fleet in 6-months time for a dedicated regional OTR fleet was due to the dispatcher.
"Driving a truck, especially long-haul, is a difficult lifestyle. There are long and irregular hours, poor living conditions on the road, and large amounts of time away from home. Often these conditions are exacerbated by poor treatment from shippers, receivers, and even their own company personnel."
Really! Go figure!
"When asked to identify hallmarks of "good" trucking companies, drivers showed a surprisingly high level of consistency in their responses. Specifically, when drivers were asked what makes a trucking company "safe," the following indicators were mentioned:
• The quality and quantity of safety and training programs;
• The level of respect for and compliance with regulations and policies governing CMV operations;
• Maintenance of clean facilities and equipment in good working order; and,
• Recognition of drivers with good safety attitudes and driving records."
Amazing! Drivers can actually agree on something!
All in all, not a bad article. Now if only good things from this article could be implemented in OTR (as well as local) driving positions.
#9
Windwalker , 04-21-2008 01:47 AM
Quote:
The government also does not include the prices of food and energy in the "COST OF LIVING" equation. So, those of us with all the dirt under the fingernails from actually doing the work to produce the nation's GNP don't have to have a plate of food more than once a year, and if we freeze during the winter... Oh, well... We'll go back to work when we thaw out in spring.Originally Posted by Uturn2001
For some reason the government does not really equate conditions that are too hot or too cold with a lack of rest when it comes to truck drivers. If they did then they would either ensure there were federal provision for idling a truck in order to maintain a safe and comfortable temp in the sleeper while a driver is resting or mandate APU's for all sleeper equipped trucks.
I have refused to run in the areas that have idle laws, and I know a number of other drivers that have been changing jobs to find someone that does not serve those areas. So, to me, it sounds like the idle laws do affect job-hopping, and in turn do affect safety.
It sure must be convenient to be able to pick what you want to study in regards to safety, and ignore the rest.
