The only change that was made from the 2003 rules was to require one of the periods to be at least 8 hours long. Under the old rules, one of the periods would have been at least 5 hours long, so it is simply adding 3 hours to one of the periods.

From what I understand, teams liked being able to sleep 5, drive 5, sleep 5 etc. Under the new rules, they have to sleep 8, drive 8, sleep 8, etc.

But you know what? The regs aren't going to change again anytime soon. That much is clear. So you can spend all your time lamenting their loss, or you can learn to adapt to the new regs.

 

I'm one of those people who tries to correct things that are wrong, through proper channels. It is a difficult and sometimes frustrating path, I can assure you.

You're probably right, the regs probably aren't going to change anytime soon, at least not for the better. Patience is called for. I'm still trying to get the split sleeper berth provision restored. I'm not making the effort solo, however. I'm in good company.

Do you drive a truck?



stonefly

 

Yes. And I've operated under every set of HOS regulations.

 

I worked on this with some other truckers. We put together a web page.

 

Don't you find the new regulations difficult to obey, while still getting rest and still getting your work done?



stonefly

 

Not exactly. He STILL cannot drive more miles than his truck speed (averaged) would allow him in 11 hours. For those with slower trucks (especially,) this would allow them to get that nap they might need and STILL get the miles they should be able to get without driving sleepy. It's the same as the old method of extending the duty window for any and all breaks.

Yes, I have at times added a two hour break I didn't take simply so that I could shut down for only 8 hours. But, I STILL had to shut down for those 8 hours of "restorative" rest before pushing on. [and usually this was because I took numerous 45 minute naps or breaks.]

The only time this really mattered to me was on days when I was more sleepy than others. I might need TWO naps. Or I might need one nap and a lunch.... or just want to sit out rush hour. But, like Stonefly... I had to push on without that extra nap to get my miles before my 14 hour "window" closed. Had I been able to extend my window, I could still only have driven the number of miles achievable within 11 hours at an average speed for my truck and the speed limits (no matter HOW many naps I took.)

 

Rev.Vassago said:

And this was done because the overwhelming majority of medical professionals determined and agreed (after EXTENSIVE testing and research) that the average person AND the average trucker needed between 7 and 7.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep daily to avoid a compounding affect of sleep deprivation leading to slower reaction times, lower awareness, etc.

Surely there are exceptions and you (Stonefly) might be one. But, do you want to share the road with those who are NOT?

Actually.... they can't. Driver #1 who drives 8 then sleeps 8 can then only drive 3 more hours before they have to park the truck for 2 hours because driver #2, who slept 8 then drove 8 needs another 8 and then a two.... it gets REAL screwed up real fast! I can't even explain it thoroughly! Get out a couple of grids and try it for yourself. It just doesn't work! There are a few options for "covering" for each other's naps, but it STILL ends up with the truck parked several times a day. :thumbsdown:

Although I have used the split several times while teaming, it only works for certain circumstances depending on delivery times, etc. It does NOT allow the truck to keep moving. This can ONLY be done by taking full 10 hour breaks.

Or you can learn to "adjust" your logs accordingly!

 

No. I find the new regs to be quite manageable. I definitely like them more than the previous version (which required that the split sleeper be one period of at least 8 hours, and a second period of more than 2, but less than 10, and if you didn't get a period of more than 2, but less than 10, the 8 hour break counted toward your 14 hour clock). In the years that these regs have been in effect, I've run into very few periods of time when I was struggling to get my work done, and in those cases, it was usually due to the 70 hour clock creeping up on me.

But I absolutely LOVE the 34 hour reset (as most drivers do), and wouldn't want to go back to the pre-2003 regs because of it.

 

Yeah, I realized it after I posted it, but was too lazy to change it. It would have a driver running 5 hours past his 11 hour clock, as well as at least 2 hours past his 14 hour clock.

 

I agree with Rev. if given the choice I believe most drivers would give up the old split sleeper berth options for the 34hr reset. I know I certainly would.