Which would be safer?

DannyD · Sep 13, 2009

This is a Q for the bigger trucks. I've read the speed limit debate (trucks having same speed limits as cars) & can see both sides of it.

I realize no one in Washington really seems to care about truckers, but work w/ me here please on this Q. I'm also not sure what the exact HOS hours are, so kind of fill in your own idea of what "realistic" hours would be please.

For those that drive the bigger units, I'm wondering about something. If you could have a choice of more realistic HOS hours, or have the same speed limits as 4 wheel vehicles, which would you choose? And which one would be safer for all motorists?

arkjarhead · Sep 13, 2009

I'm gonna choose none of the above. The best thing for all motorists is more responsible drivers in all vehicles. HOS was something put into affect back in the day to help protect drivers from companies that would push them to hard. Then the state governments realized they could make some revenue off of it. DOTs don't care about HOS and overweight vehicles to keep the motoring public safe. All they see are dollar signs.

moose · Sep 13, 2009

I would go with the HOS change .
by definition , the current HOS preventing drivers from getting the needed rest.
i'm only driving 59 Mph ,so i am a rolling hazard ,split speed or not...

wallytrucker1 · Sep 13, 2009

I was always more rested/alert under the old rule where you could take breaks throughout the day without worrying about your 14 hr clock. Also, same posted speed for everyone, seems to work in the non-liberal states out west like Az. It's not like the 4 wheelers are going to do the speed limit anyway.

jrcarroll · Sep 13, 2009

wallytrucker1 said:
I was always more rested/alert under the old rule where you could take breaks throughout the day without worrying about your 14 hr clock. Also, same posted speed for everyone, seems to work in the non-liberal states out west like Az. It's not like the 4 wheelers are going to do the speed limit anyway.

OR a lot of the truckers!

nightcreacher · Sep 13, 2009

For me, speed isn't an issue,but whom ever figured out our HOS needs to see what its like to work 14 hours without a break,'cause in some cases to get the job done,thats exactly what you have to do.

inkasnana · Sep 13, 2009

Being a part of a team, we don't have a problem with HOS. I would like to see the split speed limits discarded though, especially where the difference is greater than 5 mph. There is a greater chance of accidents caused by 4 wheelers where speeds are split because of cars changing lanes frequently to pass slower trucks and 4 wheel drivers becoming aggressively irritated when they are "stuck" behind truck traffic.

Dakota · Sep 13, 2009

Split speed limits are just plain dangerous. I am in a governed truck it is set at 65 although I can go 66 sometimes. If I am trying to pass a truck that is going slightly slower then me, it might take me a couple miles to get past them, longer if there is a slight incline and by that time the cars behind me will nearly pass me on the shoulder while I am getting over, they just can't wait to get past me. I can't blame them since I am legally going 10mph slower then they can go.
I like using my cruise control and hate to be behind a truck that speeds up and slows down like some do, due to their load, truck or even texting, cell phone usuage.

moose · Sep 13, 2009

So...
We all need to get reed of the Split Speed ,
Just because YOU CHOOSE to drive a speed limited truck ?
or maybe it is the speed limiter that is unsafe ???

Dakota · Sep 13, 2009

moose said:
So...
We all need to get reed of the Split Speed ,
Just because YOU CHOOSE to drive a speed limited truck ?
or maybe it is the speed limiter that is unsafe ???

Yeah, you could say speed limiters are unsafe. Not really my choice if I want to lease my truck I am stuck with the limiter, anyhow my truck is already at 2300 rpm at 65 so not much more is left

LDB · Sep 13, 2009

Can't answer the question without specifics on the HOS since "realistic" is open to major debate depending on who is being asked. The current HOS isn't too bad except for the split logging provision. That should allow stopping the clock with 5 hours sleeper not the ridiculous 8 hours currently in place. That said, the "safest" change would be combining a national 65 mph interstate speed limit for all vehicles and a 5 hour split log HOS setting.

greg334 · Sep 13, 2009

HOS?

Speed limit?

Come on guys/gals, you are all missing the problem - poor training of all types of drivers, people who shouldn't be on the road ever and no self-policing in this industry.

highway star · Sep 14, 2009

That's it Greg, the competency out here is really the big issue. When you watch a guy make several attempts to back straight into a parking spot, I'm talking about all kinds of room to get perfectly straight to back in, and not be able to do it, you really have to wonder about how and why these people are out here.

I agree with Leo, the HOS part of the equation is open to a lot of debate. Split speeds need to go away.

Dakota · Sep 14, 2009

highway star said:
That's it Greg, the competency out here is really the big issue. When you watch a guy make several attempts to back straight into a parking spot, I'm talking about all kinds of room to get perfectly straight to back in, and not be able to do it, you really have to wonder about how and why these people are out here.

I agree with Leo, the HOS part of the equation is open to a lot of debate. Split speeds need to go away.

Everyone has to start somewhere. I fault the trucking companies and the CDL schools who push the students through in a couple weeks, 4 students per truck etc. Competent backing should be a requirement for gruaduation. Also even the best drivers will have a bad day occasionally.

I agree the 11 hour rule makes sense, but the 14 hour rule does not. What if I want to stop and take a 2 hour nap, not really possible anymore. So if I am tired at the 9th hour I just have to push on through instead of taking the rest I need.

guido4475 · Sep 14, 2009

arkjarhead said:
I'm gonna choose none of the above. The best thing for all motorists is more responsible drivers in all vehicles. HOS was something put into affect back in the day to help protect drivers from companies that would push them to hard. Then the state governments realized they could make some revenue off of it. DOTs don't care about HOS and overweight vehicles to keep the motoring public safe. All they see are dollar signs.

I couldnt agree more.And especially with so many states being broke, they are looking for any little thing to write a citation on, no matter how small of a violation it is.Best to keep those trucks as near-perfect as possible, no matter how difficult it is with the way the business is.Or how little the freight is paying per mile.My hats off to the owners making it work.One of the many reasons I got out of a s/t,sometimes I regret it, sometimes I dont.

Crazynuff · Sep 14, 2009

O.K. on speed limiters - . I haven't seen any negative effects in Canada but those limiters are set 5 km/h above the speed limit . They have had a positive effect of reducing the number of speeding , tailgating Canadians in OH since the speed limit there was set at 65 m.p.h. There are downsides to it though . I have seen a video on Michelin on how to control blowouts . You maintain control when a steer tire blows by accelerating . Most drivers with speed limited trucks run the max speed most of the time and couldn't accelerate .
Now on the HOS , too many dispatchers abused drivers under the old rule . This doesn't apply so much to expediters . A freight driver would stop close to the shipper and take his 10 hour break . He gets to the shipper and will have to wait 4 hours to load . The shipper expects him to log 4 hours sleeper and extend his day 4 hours . Is that safer ? No one says you CAN"T take a break under the new rules . It will just count on your 14 for the day , not on your 70 in 8 days . How often would an hour or two break in your 14 really affect your schedule ?

DannyD · Sep 14, 2009

I'm in a cargo van. I asked the origianal Q cuz at first I hated the split speed limits awhile back. Now, at least in areas w/ any amount of traffic, I'd rather see em come back.

I like to drive about 67 or so. Seems to be the nice sweet spot in terms of milage & time for me. It's disconcerning to have these truckers ride my backside. I personally slow down some so they can pass me. Or I'll move over to the left lane if possible so they can keep their lane & not have to pass. Then I'll slide in behind them once they're ahead of me.

I should say there's no one set thing I always do. I just evaluate the road situation & try to make it easiest for everyone involved. Me, the trucker, & other traffic if there is any. The above was a few of the things I do. Sometimes I may just go faster myself. It just all depends.

Anyway, I noticed a lot of truckers seem to ride people's backsides. The simple fact is that if something was to happen, the truck can't stop nearly as fast as the vehicle in front of it. These are accidents waiting to happen.

Another thing is when they do pass someone, it takes em quite awhile to pass someone going 70 if they want to go 72. This causes backups in the left lane while the trucker passes the vehicle in the right lane.

Also, & this isn't the truckers fault, but if they're going 70 it causes cars to ride along side of it rather than pass it. This also causes backups.

So from my observations, what I'd like to see is a 5MPH split speed where there's traffic & same speed where there's not so much. I realize that the big rigs need to make a living too, so I'd like to see them have more hours.

I'm not sure if that's the perfect solution. That's my observation though.