I have a plan.

Who would be willing to help by doing a little googling?

There are three particular areas of study involved. There have been studies done in these areas. I have seen them, but don't have them at my fingertips.

1. Studies indicating that drivers of 4 wheelers are at fault in the majority of collisions involving big trucks.

2. Studies indicating that fatigue is more of a factor in 4 wheeler collisions than it is in collisions involving big trucks.

3. Studies indicating that fatigue is low in the hierarchy of factors leading to big truck accidents.

The more studies we can find the better. No one can do it alone. Here is where we can work together.



stonefly

 

So your plan is to point fingers at others. Interesting.

 

It has been a while since I have looked at this. If I remember correctly, 76% of accidents involving trucks are the fault of a 4 wheeler. When you look at numbers you need to see how they were compiled. I believe that when these numbers were compiled that ALL trucks were put into the pool which included pickup trucks. You should be able to find these on the federal website. In fact, they are probably broken down by state. I don't recall seeing any figures that show fatigue involving 4 wheelers. There could be some studies done by the insurance industry. Some colleges have done studies. I believe Virginia Tech has done some studies involving crashes. In fact, I think they are one of the groups that did a study that found that it is safer for all traffic to travel at the same speed.

 

The fact that this is the case is all the more reason why we, as professionals, need the tools to keep us from becoming a target for the general public. By adjusting the HOS regulations using proven scientific methods, it is putting us in a safer position to drive defensively.

In fact, the only real argument that I'm seeing against it is of the monetary variety, which does nothing to help with defensive driving.

 

Can you find that study, GMAN?



stonefly

 

There are crash statistics on the federal website. I don't recall whether these numbers came from their site or another study. I will see what I can find.

 

Thanks



stonefly

 

I don't see any good reason to bring back split sleepers. It takes a few hours for a person to go into a "deep" sleep. Fragmented sleep is never good for you.

However what I would like to see changed is the 14 hour rule. I think any sleeper period 2 or more continuous hours should stop the 14 hour clock. That way someone can take a nap during the afternoon without worry, or a guy during the night can take a small nap and still make it to his destination. Then just take 8 hours to reset 11/14 hour rules. The way it is now if you take a 2 hour nap you actually have a 22 hour day if you do the 8/2 split, which is what they were trying to get away from.

Naps working against you is ridiculous.

 

Bah give up already, you aren't going to win against the government, it is a pointless battle. There are too many people with bigger pockets against it then you.

Don't get me wrong, I am not 'caving in' to government, but it is corrupt, the democratic way is gone. Want the split sleeper birth back? then grow bigger pockets then the opposition.

 

As a matter of fact, come up with a couple million $$$, and produce a 30 second commercial to be aired on prime time networks at prime time! If you put the 'safety' spin on it and show how the government is keeping us from getting the rest we need to do our jobs safely, and show it in a nice dramatic fashion, people love a good accident on TV, even better when it is a big rig! the american people will gobble it all up and a lot will voice their opinions!