Truck Drivers News Blog

A blog for truck drivers news, and a watchdog site for the trucking industry.

Archive for June, 2010

Sleep Apnea Testing Coming – NTSB Swears in Fatigue Expert

June 30th, 2010

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today has sworn in DR. Mark R. Rosekind – an internationally recognized fatigue expert who has conducted research and implemented programs in diverse settings, including all modes of transportation, healthcare, law enforcement, elite athlete and military groups.

I want to first say that I am not against this type of testing. If you have severe obstructive sleep apnea you need to have a sleep study and you need to have either a c-pap or bi-pap machine in order to get a restful sleep. I don’t feel it is right for FMCSA or DOT or whomever to “require” this to be mandatory – unless someone else plans to pay for it. This is a life savor as severe obstructive sleep apnea is indeed a life or death situation. The “possibility” of falling asleep at the wheel are real – I know firsthand.

Although accident statistics show only about 9% of fatalities involving tractor trailers are fatigue related. By the way those statistics are probably older – from the era when HOS wasn’t so fatigue enhanced. I’m sure the statistics will increase if the HOS is left the way it is now.

From an NTSB press release:
Mark R. Rosekind, Ph.D., took the oath of office today as a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board. Member Rosekind is an internationally recognized fatigue expert who has conducted research and implemented programs in diverse settings, including all modes of transportation, healthcare, law enforcement, elite athlete and military groups.

Prior to joining the Board, Member Rosekind was President and Chief Scientist of Alertness Solutions, a scientific consulting firm in Cupertino, California that specializes in fatigue management. Before founding Alertness Solutions, he directed the Fatigue Countermeasures Program and was Chief of the Aviation Operations Branch in the Flight Management and Human Factors Division at the NASA Ames Research Center. Prior to his work at NASA, Member Rosekind was the Director of the Center for Human Sleep Research at the Stanford University Sleep Disorders and Research Center.

Member Rosekind is an internationally recognized fatigue expert who has conducted research and implemented programs in diverse settings, including all modes of transportation. He has published 150 scientific, technical, and industry papers and provided hundreds of presentations to operational, general, and scientific audiences. His contributions have been acknowledged through numerous honors and awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, six other NASA Group/Team Awards, two Flight Safety Foundation honors (Presidential Citation for Outstanding Safety Leadership, Business Aviation Meritorious Award), and as a Fellow of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Member Rosekind earned his B.A. with Honors at Stanford University, his Ph.D. at Yale University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Brown University Medical School. His term as a Member of the NTSB expires December 31, 2014.

Transportation Funds – Wasteful Spending ‘Wants and Needs’

June 30th, 2010

With all the problems in transportation, all the parking problem’s truckers face, all these states closing rest areas claiming there is no funding to keep rest areas open.

Is this because of all the wasteful spending that is going on? Arizona closed 13 rest areas in 2009 for the lack of funding. The good news is Arizona is set to re-open nine of the 13 closed rest areas over the next few months.

But, Arizona had 41 bridge projects in mind – for squirrels. They did, however, cancel these 41 squirrel bridge projects that were going to be funded out of the Arizona Transportation fund.

I understand that these “bridges” were for the endangered red squirrel (wants list), but come on now what about the “endangered truck driver?”.

I wonder how many “other wasteful spending projects” didn’t get canceled out of the transportation fund – which should be used for transportation.

I know transportation funds are set up for different projects such as flowers in the medians and new road signs, and mowing the sides of the roads and keeping the trash picked up, etc. But when do flowers and squirrels and such (wants list) outweigh safe parking and or more parking in general (needs list)? Or road upgrades, and real traffic bridge replacements (needs list)?

The most recent report from the USDOT December 2009 there are still 149,647 deficient transportation bridges in the US. But the USDOT acts as if they are more worried about building and upgrading roads in and out of State parks, and getting high-speed rail (wants list) in the US. The USDOT did, however, get the number 10,000 road project under way – of which most are in State Parks (wants list) and none were for parking (need list). USDOT did allocate $6 million for truck parking (needs list) in five different states as they have every year since 2006, but also allowed $5 million to be spent on a bicycle path in one city (wants list). I’m not sure how many bridge replacements (needs list) were on the agenda, but I’m sure there are a few as this is a problem – on US interstates.

I have said this once before about this administration. They are funding ideas that the US wants without the money to pay for them, and allowing the needs of the US to go unfunded. High-speed rail should be on a list of “wants” as it is something the US wants but can’t afford. Giving money to union operated mass transit (vote buying) is another waste in my opinion. Why is the USDOT giving money to the unions – to buy up votes? So the operators can continue to make over $100,000 per year? These people are way overpaid for what little they do. There are plenty of unemployed people that would gladly do those jobs for a lot less pay.

The US needs to get its priorities back in order – it is time for wasteful spending to stop. The US is on the brink of bankruptcy if not already bankrupt – it may be too late. We need to start looking out for the “needs” here in the US and put the “wants” back on the shelf.

Enforcing ‘No Texting’ Ban – How

June 29th, 2010

As many of you already know I very much dislike this “No Texting” ban set upon truck drivers.

It’s not so much the rule, but it is how they came about the conclusion that it is a “problem” in the trucking industry – and also the fine and punishment the DOT and FMCSA set forth on professional drivers.

I know it is a dangerous practice – I have seen the results as has others – of what can happen when texting and driving are mixed together. What bothers me so much about this whole thing is the fact that the DOT made this decree of ‘No Texting’ without any real proof.

Again as I have said many times before the FMCSA and DOT have admitted to using general public opinion polls and a preposterous report that examined only 203 professional drivers in only 55 different trucks at seven different companies out of the 4 million CMV drivers on the road. Out of a total of 4,452 crashes, near misses, crash relevant conflict, and unintentional lane deviations – 46% “near misses” I might add – they were able to determine that professional truck drivers were 23 times more likely to have an accident while driving and texting. Near misses of course are not crashes – so how are they contributing to crash reports – and almost half of the total in the report.

I also find the fine and punishment – set forth by DOT and FMCSA – astounding to say the least for a professional driver “caught” texting and driving a commercial vehicle. The punishment for drivers convicted of texting while driving a commercial vehicle would fall under the regulation 383.51 which includes violating a state or local law arising in connection with a fatal accident; driving a CMV without a proper CDL; speeding in excess of 15 mph above posted speeds; changing lanes erratically; and driving recklessly. And a fine of up to $2750.00 as well. States already have laws for distracted driving (including texting and driving) and the fines and or punishments are nowhere near this. So it seems to me this new decree is all about revenue – not about safety.

Now we find out that Rose McMurray, chief safety officer for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said they will be developing a second rule examining the full range of other in-vehicle distractions.

“Once we issue a final rule on texting, we will be developing a second rule examining the full range of other in-vehicle distractions like dispatch systems, using CB radios, etc. And hopefully develop a competent and coherent proposal that reduces risk, but doesn’t unnecessarily affect the legitimate needs for communication with and by, the driver,” said McMurray.

What else bothers me is that we have not heard any inkling as to how the police will enforce these laws – until now. I saw an article today out of Lincoln, Nebraska where by the way they will start enforcing “No Texting” laws – July 15th – explaining as to how the Nebraska State Patrol will be enforcing the laws.

Since it’s a secondary offense, Tuma says you will be pulled over for the bad driving that results from texting behind the wheel, like swerving over the center line or failure to signal. Then, you will be cited for both the moving violation and the texting.

So here is my problem with this law. What would happen if a driver in a 4 wheeler is texting and driving and crosses the center line and hits a tractor trailer – it’s clearly the 4 wheeler drivers fault – but the investigating officer while getting the phone records for the 4 wheeler driver just happens to check the phone records of the truck driver and finds he or she was also texting at the time of the accident?

But it was clearly the fault of the 4 wheeler driver – but now the truck driver also gets cited for texting and driving. Now my point of this scenario is the fines and punishments are as different as day and night between what states have set forth and what the DOT and FMCSA have set up. Will the truck driver be forced to pay both citations – from the state or county and DOT and FMCSA?

Here are the fines and punishments from Nebraska – Sgt. Novacek says the first time you’re caught texting the fine is $200, a second offense is $300, and a third offense is $500 plus three points on your license.

And if you think law enforcement can’t prove you were texting, Col. Tuma says State Patrol can contact your phone company to check and see if there was any phone activity at the time you were pulled over – or involved in a crash.

Truckers – Had Enough Yet

June 26th, 2010

Had enough yet? Are you ready to stand up for your rights, come together as one voice? America is hurting and needs you to help save her. Are you up for the fight? Or are you just going to continue to lie down and take it? When will you wake up and realize your jobs are in danger of becoming extinct?

The time is now, you truck drivers hold the power, just because of your sheer numbers – and the power of the vote. In politics voting is the method by which the electorate of a democracy appoints representatives in its government. It is evident that if you voted for change last time around – it’s not working.

What has this administration done for you as a truck driver so far? As I see it this administration has done nothing to better the trucking industry. They have yet to prove they are concerned about your safety – but only the money. This administration has made it clear they will listen to everyone – but you.

They have not been concerned about the increasingly lack of parking – even though the DOT allocated $6 million dollars recently for truck parking – as they do every year. But what increases in parking have you seen? The administration spends $5 million dollars in one city for a bicycle path – and allocates $6 million for five different states for parking – this shows a real concern for safety in trucking.

They have taken away your way to communicate with dispatchers and run your business by placing a no texting decree upon commercial drivers – just because they wanted to. It is evident they have no proof this is a problem in trucking. And it just proves that it is to get more revenue with its ridiculous fine and punishment.

This administration allows some advocacy groups to challenge the current HOS which obviously is working to get the current HOS changed. Even though in 2008 the number of injuries and fatalities in truck-involved crashes reached their lowest levels since USDOT began keeping records, do partially to the current HOS.

Here is some accident information for you to consider: Estimates of 41,000 to 45,000 traffic deaths occur every year within the U.S. Walkers and bikers account for 15% of the total traffic deaths each year. Fewer than 9% of those deaths involve commercial vehicles. More than 80% of those accidents are the fault of the non-commercial driver. Of these death related accidents only 4% of trucks are fatigue related. Drinking related accounted for .06% of those accidents.

This administration wants to open the Mexican border up to trucking, and if the Mexican trucks come into the US accidents will go on the rise. But they won’t secure the border. How is that being concerned for safety? The DOT and administration keeps saying that with the border opened back up will open up new job opportunities for US Trucks by exporting products to Mexico. But with all the violence along the border and in Mexico, I don’t know of any truck drivers who would be willing to do that. But, I can see the Mexican trucks coming into the US and taking jobs away from American drivers. The borders need to be kept closed to trucking.

But the DOT sees fit to place even more regulations upon trucking – and build more bicycle paths. And now we have CSA2010 on the horizon in which the DOT has said will disqualify 175,000 drivers. Plus the DOT is working on the I-81 corridor project to replace 1 million trucking jobs by putting your freight on trains, and allowing you – if your lucky enough to keep a job – to short-haul the freight from rail yard to the store.

The analyst who said recently that 400,000 trucking jobs would be needed in the next year or so – is probably right – as many will end up being disqualified or quit altogether.

The time to stand up and speak out is now. Are you ready for the battle?

Changes Coming To Flying J

June 25th, 2010

As you well know back in July 2009 Flying J announced that they were merging with Pilot Travel Centers because Flying J had filed bankruptcy. Flying J filed for Chapter 11 protections on December 22nd, 2008, after a precipitous drop in oil prices and disruption in the credit markets brought to bear significant short-term pressure on the company’s liquidity position.

Just recently (June 3rd, 2010) Flying J announced that they now accept Comdata fuel cards. “We are pleased an agreement has been made that will enable Flying J to immediately accept Comdata cards at our locations,” said Flying J President and CEO, Crystal Maggelet. “This arrangement will provide a new payment method which will enable more motor carriers and professional drivers to have access to Flying J’s fuel network and state‐of‐the‐art highway hospitality services.”

Now today (June 25th, 2010) another announcement has been made from Flying J, it is concerning the E-Store and the merger with Pilot. Due to changing business needs and the pending Pilot merger, we are closing the Flying J E-Store, effective Thursday, July 1, 2010. You can still use unexpired loyalty points at Flying J restaurants and at Flying J delis in locations without a restaurant.

According to the Flying J E-Store website look for details on the Flying J website, www.flyingj.com, and Loyalty Online in the coming weeks. As always, if I see or hear anything before I will announce it here as well.

USDOT Designates $6 Million for Truck Parking

June 25th, 2010

USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Monday, June 21, that $6 million will be awarded for truck parking projects on five U.S. interstates: I-15 in Utah – I-10 in Mississippi – I-5 in Oregon – I-40 in Tennessee – and I-81 in Pennsylvania.

I thought this was some good news, and maybe a start of getting something done for the parking problems that exist in the trucking industry. But as it turns out seems the USDOT does this every year or at least since 2006 – they allocate $6.25 million for truck parking.

The Federal Highway Administration – Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) is a pilot program that provides funding to address the shortage of long-term parking for commercial vehicles on the National Highway System.

Funded by contract authority, to remain available until expended. Funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation and are not transferable. States, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and local governments are eligible recipients of program funds. To receive funds, a State, MPO or local government must submit an application.

Funding priority will be given to applicants that:

demonstrate a severe shortage of commercial vehicle parking in the corridor
have consulted with affected State and local governments, community groups, providers of commercial vehicle parking, and motorist and trucking organizations
demonstrate that their proposed projects are likely to have positive effects on highway safety, traffic congestion or air quality
Funds shall be available for projects on the NHS that may include the following activities:
constructing safety rest areas that include commercial vehicle parking
constructing commercial vehicle parking facilities adjacent to commercial truck stops and travel plazas
opening existing facilities to commercial vehicles
promoting the availability of publicly or privately provided commercial vehicle parking on the NHS using ITS systems and other means
constructing turnouts for commercial vehicles
making capital improvements to public commercial vehicle parking facilities to allow year-round use
improve the geometric design of interchanges to improve access to parking facilities
I took this information off the site.

My concerns are this program has been in effect since 2005, but yet there are shortages all over the US in regards to truck parking. But I did see a few states were awarded almost $5 million dollars for bicycle paths out of this same fund too. The federal government regulates trucking with how many hours per day they can legally operate. 11 hours driving after a full 10 hour break – but has only 14 hours per day to get the loading and or unloading and driving done – before the truck must be parked. Once the clock starts at the beginning of the day – 14 hours later – the truck must be parked for 10 hours.

If no parking is available then the driver stands to receive a violation on his or her log book that can be costly. Not to mention that after 11 hours of driving or being on-duty for 14 hours per day – if no parking is available then the driver has but one choice and that is to drive on – tired. And after CSA2010 is fully operational then the penalties will get worse – as after so points are subtracted the driver becomes disqualified from driving.

But yet the federal government has a program designed and in place to provide safe parking. If so, then why has all these rest areas closed? And why hasn’t there been more safer parking built? Instead of closing the available parking spots.

© 2010, Truck Drivers News Blog. All rights reserved.

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Tags: Federal Highway Administration funding highway obligation limitation parking Ray LaHood safety rest areas shortage state and local governments traffic congestion transportation equity act trucking organizations vehicle

Got Something To Say – Post it Here

June 24th, 2010

You have a voice, so use it.

Now I am offering you a place to voice your opinions. Write a post to express your feelings and opinions about trucking or government issues.

Send it to me for editing, and then I will post it. Don’t worry editing doesn’t involve much – I am not the grammar police.

This blog site receives around 600,000 hits per month so lots of people see what is posted. Want to do a video to get your word out? No problem I have the capabilities of hosting videos now too. You don’t need to worry about thieves stealing your content either, I have it protected.

This site is not regulated by anyone, but me, so whatever content you want to send you can – as long as it is your original content or you have permission to re-post it. Once it is posted here on this site it belongs to you – and me and will remain up on the site until you tell me to remove it.

Some rules:

No pornography – no hate post – no illegal talk such as drugs usage. I would advise against using curse language no matter how mad or upset you are – your message will be accepted better without a lot of cursing.

If you don’t want your name connected to the post – I will post it in my name – just when you send the message tell me if you want your name used or username, handle, etc.

I will only accept trucking related or political-post. In other words, we don’t want to read about giving your dog a bath or your next shopping trip, you know what I’m talking about.

You can post a comment here (all comments are moderated – so no one will see them except me) and I will send you an email – or contact me on Twitter @Truckdrivernews

America Moves by Trucks – Not Bicycles, Buses or Trains

June 23rd, 2010

When I hear United States Department of Transportation – I instantly think of the trucking industry. But I guess that is just because I have been involved in trucking and have dealt with the Department of Transportation about trucking. But, I can’t help, but to think that this administration doesn’t look at trucking in a sense that America moves by trucks. It is clear that the DOT obviously thinks bicycles and trains and buses move America – when you follow the money trail.

So with that said, why doesn’t the USDOT do things to improve the trucking industry? The trucking industry has problems in training, parking, pay, regulations, etc. The USDOT under this administration has done nothing to improve any of those real problems – except add to them.

Let’s take a look at what the USDOT has done for trucking thus far. They have placed an unenforceable decree “No sending of Text or Email messages” upon trucking without any such credible study – they have admitted to using general public opinion polls, and a study of 203 CMV drivers. This decree I am concerned about is just for money “if” they can enforce it – because of the immense fine and punishment added to it. CMV drivers convicted of texting while driving would fall into this regulation 383.51 include violating a state or local law arising in connection with a fatal accident; driving a CMV without a proper CDL; speeding in excess of 15 mph above posted speeds; changing lanes erratically; and driving recklessly. And a fine of up to $2750.00 as well. States already have laws for distracted driving and the fines and or punishments is nowhere near this.

If the texting ban was not enough. We have now learned that the USDOT and FMCSA are working to add to this ban to cover a broader range of distractions. Rose McMurray, chief safety officer for FMCSA said: “Once we issue a final rule on texting, we will be developing a second rule examining the full range of other in-vehicle distractions like dispatch systems, using CB radios, etc., and hopefully develop a competent and coherent proposal that reduces risk, but doesn’t unnecessarily affect the legitimate needs for communication with and by the driver.”

Next up the USDOT “thinks” that EOBRs are going to save us all. They want to implement EOBRs on all commercial vehicles to fix the “problems” they see in the trucking industry. Again, there has been no proofs showing that adding an EOBR to a truck will increase the safety. It’s just another cost that will fall upon trucking companies, and then onto consumers.

The next thing we will see is “blinders” being required for truck drivers, and 5 point safety harnesses plus the HANS device. Fatal accidents involving trucks are at the all-time low, and steadily going lower without any of these new rules.

CSA2010 is on the horizon and the USDOT has even said that 175,000 drivers will most likely be unqualified as soon as this goes full-blown. With it and the Medical Review Board, trucking will become extinguished.

Is that the plan to extinguish the trucking industry? Seems like it is a very real possibility. Nothing to improve the trucking industries REAL problems has been attempted by the USDOT. But, they are giving away all kinds of money to trains, buses and bicycles for upgrades to the rail system, and to allow the union transit authority drivers to continue to make over $100,000 per year, and build bicycle lanes that we have to pay for.

It seems to me that the USDOT is really working hard to ensure that this administration is around for a long while – as it is evident they are “buying up votes” – evident by all the money it is slinging to everyone – except trucking. USDOT has teamed up with HUD – US Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business.

If this isn’t “buying up votes” then what is it?

American truck drivers total about 4 million active drivers with over 8 million CDL holders. We could effect change, and change is desperately needed.

EDIT: It turns out that the USDOT has turned loose some of its money for trucking. According to an OOIDA article yesterday 6 million dollars was allocated for trucking parking projects. Well, at least it is a start.

Proof – DOT not concerned about Trucking Safety

June 21st, 2010

I know I have been harping and complaining about this topic for a while now.

I am hoping that I keep harping about this and just maybe someone in the right place and high enough up on the totem pole will see it and start questioning it as well.

I have many government officials who visit this site quite often, and maybe just maybe one visitor will be the right one to get it done.

The Department of Transportation’s mission statement: Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.

The Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood seems to only be worried about getting a decree passed by outlawing sending and receiving of text and email messages for commercial drivers indicated by the outrageous (up to $2750.00) fine that can be issued. Plus it can result in a repercussion as a serious traffic violation. Professional drivers realize this is a dangerous practice. The problem is the USDOT has “no proof” that these problems even exist in the trucking industry.

They have admitted to using general public opinion polls, and a study that ONLY looked at 203 CMV drivers in 55 trucks and 4,452 “incidents” that included “near misses” as accidents. A near miss is an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage. So how can that be counted as an accident? An accident is when a road vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other geographical or architectural obstacle. Traffic collisions can result in injury, property damage, and death.

Professional truck drivers have many “distractions” that we must focus on while driving. Distracted driving according to the “official distracted driving” government website is – taking your eyes off the road – taking your hands off the wheel – taking your mind off what you’re doing. Professional truck drivers while driving need to keep their eyes constantly moving by checking their mirrors, and keeping a visual check on the instrument panel gauges for problems and listening for uncommon noises that might save thousands of dollars in repairs if caught soon enough. This of course – takes our eyes off the road – and our focus off driving. So how might I ask are truckers supposed to not “drive distracted and still do their jobs safely?”

Where in the USDOT mission statement does it say they are to hand out millions of dollars to transit authorities of which most are union operated so they can continue to make $100,000 a year to drive a bus? Or give millions of dollars to states to upgrade and build roads in and out of State parks? But in the same years close rest areas because states can’t afford to pay someone to clean a toilet or mow the grass.

USDOT wants to see electronic onboard recorders on all commercial vehicles. They “claim” this will help to reduce crashes and over hours of service violations and all around just make the trucking industry safer. But add to an already prodigious problem of available safe parking by allowing the closing of numerous rest areas for lack of funding – but give millions of dollars away to upgrade and build roads in and out of state parks and call this part of the “Recovery Act.”

The USDOT wants to re-do the hours-of-service as they claim truck drivers work to hard by driving 11 hours a day and resting for 10 hours with only being able to work 14 hours per day total. But estimates show 41,000 to 45,000 traffic deaths occur every year within the US. Walkers and bikers account for 15% of the total traffic deaths each year. Fewer than 9% of those deaths involve commercial vehicles. More than 80% of those accidents are the fault of the non-commercial driver. Of those death related accidents only 4% of trucks are fatigue related.

The U.S. health care system contributes to more deaths than truck drivers. According to Dr. Barbara Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, 250,000 deaths per year are caused by medical errors. A surgical resident reported that in two-and-a-half years into a seven-year program at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, she was routinely working 110-130 hours per week, and sometimes worked 60-hour shifts. And truck drivers are the bad people here? Who needs to be regulated?

Top 10 Most Dangerous Drivers by Profession:

Truck drivers didn’t even make the top ten list.

Attorney/Judge
Financial professionals
Government worker
Bartender or Waiter
Business Professionals
Dog Groomer
Marketing/Advertising professionals
Barber/Stylist
Coach
Nurse

If the USDOT were to focus on real problems within the trucking industry myself and about 4 million other drivers would not complain so much. A REAL PROBLEM in trucking is a thing called “just in time delivery.” This is where the receiving (company) does not have any storage space for any “extra” material therefore can only take shipments when they are just about out of the material. Most companies operate like this, as it is a huge cost savings. I know the USDOT has no authority in governing how companies operate. But if they would just take a look at it and study it – then they could help persuade getting this changed. This would help considerably with driving tired, and be much safer.

Parking – the lack of places to park has been a problem in trucking for years, and it only will get worse. If the USDOT were concerned about safety, then they would give some of that money towards more safer truck parking, and keep these rest areas open and build more of them. But out of 10,000 road construction projects and billions of dollars spent, not any rest areas or places to park a tractor trailer have even been considered.

Explaining Real Problems in Trucking

June 20th, 2010

Problems exist within many industries today, but most are not life or death situations. The trucking industry is no exception, there are countless problems, and some are about life or death situations. There was an accident on I-64 in Kentucky on Friday between two tractor trailers in which one of the drivers was killed. I want to use this to base a couple of scenario’s that I will create to show a couple major problems in trucking.

A major problem in trucking is a thing called “just in time delivery.” This is where the receiving (company) does not have any storage space for any “extra” material therefore can only take shipments when they are just about out of the material. Most companies operate like this, as it is a huge cost savings. These companies coordinate through the shipper and the trucking company and set up delivery appointments as most operate on a 24 hour period so trucks can unload at all hours of the day or night. Some drivers look at this as an advantage as they can get unloaded and be ready to grab another load. I look at it as a disadvantage and a major problem within the industry because drivers are driving tired and that is not safe.

The problem begins on the shipping side as they delay the driver right off the start by either booking too many trucks or by not having the load ready when the truck is scheduled to load. This can delay a driver for hours literally. The problem is when the driver is delayed in loading he or she still has to try to make the delivery time appointed to them because of “just in time delivery.” Even though the load may be delayed for hours. If the receiving company had a place to store more materials, then the driver after being delayed from loading, would not have to drive tired, and risk having accidents.

Most of the time a driver is not allowed to sleep or can’t sleep because of having to pull up when trucks move into a dock to load, or it’s just a company policy that a driver is not allowed sleep in the truck on the companies property due to insurance requirements.

Another reason a driver can’t sleep is because of anti-idle laws. If it is 75 or 80 degrees outside, then you can bet it will be close to 100 or more in the truck – how are you suppose to get rest? Same goes for in the winter time. But you say, they have auxiliary power units or APUs for trucks now to provide heat and coolness for resting comfortably without idling. This is true, but most companies won’t or have not purchased and fitted their trucks with the APUs as they don’t see it as being cost effective yet.

This brings me to my first scenario for the accident that happened Friday. The accident happened around 6:00AM in the morning. One tractor-trailer crashed into a tractor-trailer that was parked in the emergency lane, the one driver that hit the parked truck died as a result. In my first scenario I would say that given the time of the accident that the driver possibly could have fallen asleep and drifted off the road and hit the parked truck.

If the load was set to be loaded at 11:00PM the night before and the driver was delayed at the shipper for 4 or 5 hours, that would make it 04:00AM for departure – the driver has been up all night. But the load was originally scheduled to deliver “just in time” at 10:00AM the next day or 500 miles away. The company that needs the material can’t reschedule to give the driver rest from being up all night because they have no “extra” material – so the load must get there. Even though there is no-way to make up the lost 4 or 5 hours the driver was delayed. If there was no such thing as “just in time delivery” then the load could be rescheduled and the driver could get the rest needed to complete the trip safely.

My second scenario deals with inadequate parking. I know you have seen trucks parked on the shoulder of just about any road that has a shoulder on it, where a truck could pull over. Now not knowing whether the “parked” truck was actually parked on the shoulder or whether the truck was having problems or not, I can only assume for the purpose of the scenario that the driver was parked to rest. The lack of sufficient parking doesn’t give a driver many choices when it comes to needing to pull over and stop. States are closing rest areas because of lack in funding to operate them. But more rest areas, and safer parking places are needed for the trucks to park and rest or for breakdowns. This also could be tied into the first scenario too, as most drivers when they get tired will pull over to sleep and the load would just have to be late because no load is worth the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. But if there are no parking places, then they are left with only one option – that is to continue on.

The United States Department of Transportation has a mission statement saying: to “Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.” It seems to me that insufficient parking falls into the job the USDOT is supposed to be doing. This is a very real problem that has had previous studies done to show proof, but the USDOT seems more concerned with getting “distracted driving” laws in place for trucking without any such proof that the problem even exist in trucking – and “claiming” this will save the lives of people on the highways?

Just Friday the US Secretary of Transportation wrote in his blog as if he were “celebrating” the signing of the 10,000th road construction project. But, in 10,000 road construction projects none had to do with more and safer truck parking. This administration is “giving” money away to build and upgrade roads in to state parks, and bicycle lanes, and giving money to transit authorities (most of which are unions) that all taxpayers will have to pay back, but won’t give states the needed money to keep rest areas open or build more and safer truck parking spaces – a real problem.

Archive for June, 2010

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