The main problem with the HOS is that they are virtually unchanged for over 60 years. The laws, as written are un-realistic and do not address todays roads, drivers or equipment. Remember that these laws were written in a time with no interstate system. Most roads were 2 lane turtle backs, 4 lanes existed in the larger metro areas, if at all. These 3 day trips coast to coast trips we make today, took weeks.
The truck would literally beat the living day lights out of you. Fixed seat (even bench seats) NO air ride, anywhere. No power steering, no turbos, NO AC, nothing. None of the things we take for granted today. (Did you know the first sleeper was in the front of the TRAILER?)
Result:
Truckers were quite literally hugh, big men, masssive arms, chests like grizzlies. These men could pick you up and break you like a twig. And they paid a big price. Bad backs, internal damage, swollen joints, some other, nastier things, we just don't need to go into.
Today it is quite common for one of these big growling trucks to roll to a stop in a truck stop and a 90 pound woman steps out. I've seen some that can hardly carry their shower bags, but they handle a 40 ton truck with ease.
We are still restricted to that old rugged day.
In my outlaw days, I could cover more ground in a 24 hour period than these old trucker could in a month. Give me a week and I could cover more than they might in 6 months. I'm sure there are those of you that can say the same. I/we paid a price, but nothing like those guys did.
In todays, controled corperate fleets, life is honestly easy. Follow the rules and work "steady" and you can make a good living, with little ill effects.
The only good thing that has happened with HOS is the 34 hour reset. You can keep the 11/14 rules, in fact I have a suggestion for a place that the dot can put them. I don't need 11 hours to do the job, and it sux that companies want that extra hour. (I don't give it, unless it does ME some good) I also don't need the 10 hour break. (I didn't need the 8) I only sleep about 4 to 5 hours, been that way all my life. Others do, shrug. I do believe that we need to be rested, we need a way to regulate and document this time spent. Thus we have the log book.
Learn it, live it, love it. (ok that was just stupid, but you get the idea.)
New drivers; Spend the time it takes to learn the proper, legal way to do your logs. take the time EVERY morning and at every change of duty status to open that book and make a mark.
Experianced drivers don't need to be told this, even though some don't do it. (They will pay the price)
I went 12 years before I got my first log book violation, then I got the only other one I ever got within 4 weeks. Why?
I got lazy and complacent. Then I got caught by surprise, TWICE. This was under the old 10/15 rules with split bunk logging. Was easy to get away with almost anything back then.
