Truck driver HOS vs Highway Machine Operator HOS

[fortwayne]

Why is it that a heavy duty machine operator can work building a highway and work as many hours as he wants, but, a truck driver can't drive on that same highway without the BS regulations restricting his earnings?

Makes no sense at all.

That heavy duty machine operator is building a highway that carries the safety of countless people in its hands every day - shouldn't that mean something too?

Or am I wrong and they can't work more than 40 or 50 hours?

 

[usafk9]

Here's one that I often wondered about:

How about a police officer? What happens if the guy on the next shift calls in sick, and the current person on duty is mandated to stay on another 8 hours?

 

[fortwayne]

With police it does not work that way. There is a minimum of officers mandated that must be 'on duty', so if an officer calls in sick as long as the minimum is still available there is no problem.

But, if an officer calls in and that would take the shift down below the minimum, other arrangements are generally used. Anything from calling in an officer on his day off to 'altering' the minimum - but very very few departments allow an officer to pull a double shift.

......being an ex-officer I can assure you that an officer pulling a double shift is more of a liablity risk than running under the minimum.........

 

[usafk9]

With police it does not work that way. There is a minimum of officers mandated that must be 'on duty', so if an officer calls in sick as long as the minimum is still available there is no problem.

But, if an officer calls in and that would take the shift down below the minimum, other arrangements are generally used. Anything from calling in an officer on his day off to 'altering' the minimum - but very very few departments allow an officer to pull a double shift.

......being an ex-officer I can assure you that an officer pulling a double shift is more of a liablity risk than running under the minimum.........

"Very, very few". There's the problem. I know that it's done. How about prison staff?

 

[xiggi]

I would never wish stricter rules for anyone else just like I would never wish higher taxes on someone else. I would rather see things lessened on one group rather than increased on another.

 

[fortwayne]

and that is the point I am making. I have no problem with most of the 11/14 hour rule, but the 34-hour reset rule is an insult to the working trucker and has never proven to be benefical tool to increase public safety.

if we want to increase safety on the highways we need to see law enforcement using the laws on the books, like not using turn signals during lane changes, following to closely, exceeding the speed limt, work zone violations - AND THIS GOES FOR TRUCKERS AND THOSE LITTLE four wheelers as well.

The trucking industry should not be used as a pawn by political idiots to claim they are attempting to improve highway safety by coming down on the truckers while ignoring the ignorance of the average driver.

 

[greg334]

First all these people go home after their shift(s) are over with. The cop, even if they do doubles, still gets sleep and may seems to be responsible enough to know when he falls asleep that it is time for some rest.

Second I have yet to see a Propaver or a roller causing death and destruction while driving 70 mph. The roads are made to what ever standards the state sets for them and there are inspectors and a lot of others who are watching those union employees who are also getting paid double time, triple time to work so hard.

 

[Moot]

Makes no sense at all.

Sure it does! It is the greater threat to public safety that the over worked truck driver presents vs. the tired construction worker. Like Greg said:

Second I have yet to see a Propaver or a roller causing death and destruction while driving 70 mph.

...there are inspectors and a lot of others who are watching those union employees who are also getting paid double time, triple time to work so hard.

You just had to bring "union employees" into this thread, didn't you. (insert smiley face here)

 

[fortwayne]

Ok, first I have nothing against union workers - so don't even.....wink.....

and as far as inspectors and highway workers - don't even.....yea, great job on that Minnesota bridge......

the overall point I am trying to make here is to many regulations has never been, will never be and should not be the quick fix to a much bigger problem.