When the 14-hour rule was imposed on the trucking business it totally destroyed the possibility that safety could be achieved through the hours of service. –Owner-operator Gary Carlisle
The following letter came in from Gary Carlisle, owner-operator of Midland, Texas, in part in response to the recent story about consultant and former trucker Jeff Davis’ contention that paydirt lies on the other side an electronic-log mandate’s implementation. Carlisle has “been in business since 1980” as an owner-operator, and he’s also worked as a traffic manager in the Texas oilfield. He spent most of his young life with “Carlisle Trucks out Tulia and Hereford, Texas, hauling feed and livestock. Between 1983 and 1987 I was leased to several different carriers.”
His letter begins with thoughts on the need — also named one of the top hours of service-change priorities by readers in recent polling — for flexibility in the 14-hour rule, which he views as having “destroyed the possibility that safety could be achieved through the hours of service.”
“I have voiced my opinions to [Texas Congressman] Mike Conaway, [Senator] Ted Cruz and other legislators, but never have been given any encouragement that they understood nor were prepared to take any action to help on the issues named below.” Carlisle’s letter follows
When the 14-hour rule was imposed on the trucking business it totally destroyed the possibility that safety could be achieved through the hours of service. Can you imagine how anyone could come up with such a plan: if you penalize an experienced truck driver for taking a nap, it will make him safer?
Rather, you need to encourage any driver to take a nap if he feels he needs one. No matter what number of hours he has driven, if he feel he needs a nap, by all means take one. That nap, regardless of length, should not subtract or distract from his opportunity to make a living. The mere idea that you can eliminate that need for a nap with dictation of sleep/off-duty patterns is ridiculous.
