This is not the British Broadcasting System. I call it the Bureaucratic Bull Sh**. For an industry that promotes the word "Professional", I always seem to experience the unprofessional. That word "safety" only seems to apply at driver meetings and D.O.T. inspections. When a driver tries to enforce it , it's no longer an important issue. How much longer can the industry operate efficiently in a state of chaos and confusion.
Logbooks; are a perfect example of BBS. 14 hrs on-duty and 10 hrs off duty in a 24 hr cycle as determined by the trucking company.The majority of short-haul runs cannot comply with this rule to accommodate appointment times unless the company uses a driver relay system or the driver runs dangerously while fatigued ( driving impaired).
Falsifying logbooks = $1000.00 + fine. If you are an international driver the D.O.T. can source from US/Canada Customs when you crossed the border. If your time marker is true on your logbook you have a good chance you didn't acquiring your 10 hrs off while keeping with your appointment times. If this is the case I owe the D.O.T. over $100,000.00 a year.
EOM (Electronic On-board Monitors). Some companies have been using these. I heard rumored that one company tried them and stopped using them because their appointment times were crucial to some of their accounts. Since their motto was (On-time delivery) the system would create late arrivals and jepordize the account. Creating a system of relay drivers to comply with this system will increase operating costs that may affect the quality of the company.
Appointment Times; are another BBS issue. You have been awake since 6 am, made your delivery and arrived for your next pickup at 2pm. The shipper loads you by 6pm and the customer is a 10 hour drive with an appointment of 6am. Then your next load to be picked up after that has a 10 am appointment. If I am doing this run someone is going to be really upset and it won't be me. Who makes these schedules? Probably the same person that complains when your logbook is non-compliant.
Appointments should be made when the driver is released from the loading dock. The time should allow for driving, eating and sleeping to allow the driver to arrive safely. That way the following pick-up would be easier to schedule.
Speed Limiters: This is the latest arguementave issue in our (professional) industry. I agree with the theory but disagree with the practicality of the issue. Speed is a contributing factor to commercial vehicle accidents when the general public asks us to stop really quick. This situation can occur at any speed and produce severe results. I believe that the true factor is driver inattention and fatigue. I have expeienced more truck drivers driving reckless or inattentive than speeding.
I believe this to be more of a public satisfaction issue to make the public feel safer. Little do they know that now they have to be more alert for slow moving trucks in the right two lanes.
Driver Safety Meetings: This is a political arena if I have ever saw one. The company brings in the safety guy to talk safety and compliance but the minute the meeting is over it is back to the same BBS. Have you ever tried to enforce the issues brought up at the last meeting. It is like there never was a safety meeting. It seems that money still talks and B.S. walks.
Canada/U.S. Customs: I cross the border every day. I figure I have the system down to a science. Then occassionally everything I have done correctly for the last 2 months has changed and now I get scolded for doing it wrong. Then the following day, that new proceedure I was told yesterday is not the way to do it to-day. They are just as confused as my safety officer at the driver meeting.
Here's my opinion: This is still the easiest career I have had so far. In the 12 years as a driver I have learned to work for companies where I can drive my way (safely,get sleep, eat and am rarely on time). As far as the BBS I take it all in stride, find ways to work around it without upsetting the system too much and have a good laugh at the end of the day.
Do your best, ask alot of questions, and keep smiling.
Tags: Driver Safety Compliance
