Send your thoughts on the Proposed 34-Hour Restart

[TeamCaffee]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rebecca Brewster
(770) 432-0628
January 7, 2013


COMMERCIAL DRIVERS ASKED TO WEIGH IN ON 34-HOUR RESTART CHANGES

Arlington, VA - The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released a second survey to collect data on the impacts that may accrue from changes to the 34-hour restart rule. This survey seeks the input of commercial drivers on potential operational impacts from the changes. Under the new Hours-of-Service rules that are scheduled to take effect this summer, changes to the 34-hour restart will include 1) a requirement that a restart include two periods between 1 a.m. – 5 a.m., and 2) a limitation of one restart per 7-day time period. This survey, in addition to the recently completed motor carrier survey, is part of a larger ATRI study quantifying real-world operational impacts on the trucking industry that may result from these revisions.

Commercial drivers are encouraged to provide confidential input on the HOS changes through ATRI’s survey, available online at www.atri-online.org or by clicking here. The aggregated and anonymized results of both surveys as well as ATRI’s full HOS study will be released later this year.

ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization. It is engaged in critical research relating to freight transportation’s essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.

 

[jjoerger]

That was a quick and simple survey. Thanks for posting it Linda.

 

[zorry]

Thanks, fast and simple

 

[LDB]

Initially I read just the bolded text. My initial thought was take a 168 hour week and subtract 34 hours of restart and you get 134 hours. Subtract 60 hours driving and you have 74. Subtract on duty not driving time of say 2 hours a day and we're down to say 65. Do things like eating at least twice a day, using the restroom, doing at least one load of laundry a week and a few other essentials and we're down around 50 or so hours which is about 7 hours sleep average over a week's time.

The biggest potential complaint I see is requiring a pair of 0100-0500 times be included. I suspect some won't like that rule. I suspect they did it on the theory that will mean two consecutive nights of sleeping, in theory a good idea. The one thing I don't just suspect but am absolutely positive about is that no matter how it's structured some won't like it.

 

[tknight]

OK what confused me is the limit of 1 restart per 7 days, what happens to us that sometimes sit for 34-48 hrs and don't drive, do we have to circle the walmart or ta for a few hrs to rack up time driving?

tk

 

[paullud]

OK what confused me is the limit of 1 restart per 7 days, what happens to us that sometimes sit for 34-48 hrs and don't drive, do we have to circle the walmart or ta for a few hrs to rack up time driving?

tk

I'm wondering which one will be counted if you get more than one or does the driver get to pick.

Sent from my ADR6400L using EO Forums mobile app

 

[zorry]

If you do one over the weekend and do one Tue/Wed I would think the 2nd one wouldn't count. If it did,then you earned two,which is prohibited.
If you're sitting that much you probably don't need the second reset.

You still have the ability to count your hours: i.e. 60/70 or 70/80

 

[jjoerger]

I wish they had asked about the mandatory 30 minute off duty break.

May drive only if 8 hours or less have passed since end of driver's last off-duty period of at least 30 minutes. [HM 397.5 mandatory "in attendance" time may be included in break if no other duties performed]

 

[davekc]

The whole thing is silly. Are folks going to better rested after sitting three days in a truck stop? Not likely. If they are concerned with safety (which they are not) they would go back to the split sleeper berth and and change the 14 hour rule so that a break can be added or the 14 hour clock can be stopped. There is no current data that backs up any of these proposed changes.

 

[layoutshooter]

I will do the survey, not that it will do any good. They are going to stick it to us, drivers are a major force in this industry to be ignored. We have no real say.

As to the new reset rules, a total joke. There is not now, nor has there ever been, a cookie cutter one size fits all that works. Until they recognize that and allow us to run SAFELY by OUR body clocks, the roads will never be safe.

 

[LDB]

One problem is there will always be a large number who without some set of strict regulations in place will run beyond any semblance of reasonable hours. We have a few of our own who have somewhat bragged of that very thing, seemingly proud of running an extreme amount of miles straight through and then running more miles before finally stopping.

 

[jrcarroll]

I'm one who uses Drivers Daily logs. So when they first introduced the new HOS, I gave them a try. I for one do not see any problems. If running Monday thru Friday you do get the 168 hrs in, thus allowing for 1 reset a week.

Dave: you would not have to sit 3 days @ truck stop. IE: you deliver on friday afternoon and go to truck stop. Then 1st 1-5 is Saturday am, then 2nd 1-5 is sunday am. besides if my memory serves me right most expedite trucks do sit all weekend long anyways.

 

[davekc]

One problem is there will always be a large number who without some set of strict regulations in place will run beyond any semblance of reasonable hours. We have a few of our own who have somewhat bragged of that very thing, seemingly proud of running an extreme amount of miles straight through and then running more miles before finally stopping.

I am ok with common sense regulations to stop the very thing you are talking about. As for the 34 provision, if it was a good idea the airlines would have done it years ago.

 

[layoutshooter]

I'm one who used Drivers Daily logs. So when they first introduced the new HOS, I gave them a try. I for one do not see any problems. If running Monday thru Friday you do get the 168 hrs in, thus allowing for 1 reset a week.

Dave: you would not have to sit 3 dasys @ truck stop. IE: you deliver on friday afternoon and go to truck stop. Then 1st 1-5 is Saturday am, then 2nd 1-5 is sunday am. besides if my memory serves me right most expedite trucks do sit all weekend long anyways.

It makes a big difference. 34 hours is 34 hours, anything else is LONGER than a 34 hour reset.

We are sitting now, we will have a 34 hour reset prior to our next load. If we were then to sit for another 34, why not get that reset? It is limited our ability to earn a living.

 

[Ragman]

. . . if it was a good idea the airlines would have done it years ago.

When was the last time an airline did anything that was a good idea?

 

[jrcarroll]

It makes a big difference. 34 hours is 34 hours, anything else is LONGER than a 34 hour reset.

We are sitting now, we will have a 34 hour reset prior to our next load. If we were then to sit for another 34, why not get that reset? It is limited our ability to earn a living.

Then it maybe time to take this subject up with your carrier. Get them to fully understand the new rules, from a drivers point of view.
I remember when running with FedEx (in a Sprinter van) we would sit 34 everytime after a delivery, and only being able to work 12-14 hrs a day. So I do understand where your coming from.

 

[layoutshooter]

Then it maybe time to take this subject up with your carrier. Get them to fully understand the new rules, from a drivers point of view.
I remember when running with FedEx (in a Sprinter van) we would sit 34 everytime after a delivery, and only being able to work 12-14 hrs a day. So I do understand where your coming from.

I don't think there is anything that the carriers can do either. The Feds are going to do what they want, period. I think FedEx is aware of the new rule, at least I would hope they are. It is going to make it harder to cover loads.

 

[davekc]

When was the last time an airline did anything that was a good idea?

Now that you mention it, I can't come up with anything.

 

[davekc]

I'm one who uses Drivers Daily logs. So when they first introduced the new HOS, I gave them a try. I for one do not see any problems. If running Monday thru Friday you do get the 168 hrs in, thus allowing for 1 reset a week.

Dave: you would not have to sit 3 days @ truck stop. IE: you deliver on friday afternoon and go to truck stop. Then 1st 1-5 is Saturday am, then 2nd 1-5 is sunday am. besides if my memory serves me right most expedite trucks do sit all weekend long anyways.

What happens say you run out of hours on a Wednesday or Thursday? Keeping mind that there are less freight opportunities on the weekend.

 

[highway star]

One problem is there will always be a large number who with some set of strict regulations in place will run beyond any semblance of reasonable hours.

Fixed it for ya...