Just recently, I happened into a driver lounge. At a table nearby, I couldn’t help but overhear a group of drivers complaining about roadside inspections, authority and the many rules which apply to the trucking industry.
What if there were no DOT roadside inspections? Can you imagine the resulting consequences?
When it comes to the hours of service rules; the discussion among drivers usually circles around the question “What does a driver do when he/she is only 1 hour from home or a delivery point?” Would the answer be to have DOT add another hour? If this was implemented, what if you are still 1 hour from home or your delivery point? The line needs to be drawn somewhere.
The same argument could be made for setting the speed limit. Where would you draw the line if you were the DOT?
Let’s be honest, nobody likes to have limits put upon them. Especially when an adverse situation arises, such as being 1 hour away from home and running out of hours. However, there needs to be limits and boundaries set accordingly or we would have total lawlessness and chaos on our nation’s highways.
The rules may not be perfect and even though there are days when we wish for no rules or laws… we better be careful what we wish for.
Henry Albert
Team Run Smart Pro