| LTL Accident Rate Out of
Control? |
| By JD Nutt
|
| 05.15.2007 -
A compilation of reports are being made available for
professional Teamster Drivers to review and provide input on the
growing issue regarding the driver accident rate within the Less Than
Truck Load (LTL) transportation industry.
|
| Since the change of the rules and regulations
effecting the hours of service (HOS), statistics reflect a change for
the worse in traffic related accidents among professional drivers. It
has been said, fatigue, sleep deprivation and the lack of a proper
rest period, (which was the main factor for the change in the HOS
rules) has led to an out of control accident rate costing hundreds of
millions of dollars within the LTL industry, notwithstanding the
hardships created for the professional driver.
|
| Along with staff writers here at the Road Drivers
Weekly News, we are seeking outside reports that will be published
regarding this issue. If you wish to contribute please contact our news desk
. |
| Reader comments on this report... |
| Cleveland driver
heading southbound to Charlotte on I-77 near Canton, Ohio! View
the video and read the report at WEWS
Cleveland from "May 23rd, titled: Flipped Semi Closes I-77
- Photos - WEWS Cleveland" the link: http://www.newsnet5.com/slideshow/13371368/detail.html?taf=nn5 |
Eddie wrote:
They can come up with all the reasons they want to for the
accidents.
The real reason for all the accidents is not so much the new
hours of service rules. Quit frankly I have been getting more
rest. The truthfully reason is that the cost of living has
caused most drivers to work harder ,and work more hours
than they used to. I hardly ever hear someone taking earned
time. Everyone, Me included, has had to work our 6 trips, just
to keep our current lifestyle.
That combined with the public doing the same thing, working more
hours. It's creating a bunch of over worked, over tired driving
fools.
There is no magic fix for this. Lets face it, big
business is running the country and the harder we work the more
tired we are and the less likely we are to notice the B-S they
get away with. All we can do is to pay more attention to
our driving, be safe. Don't let them use us in their
statistic. Lets prove them wrong!
Every drive safe.
|
|
Renscout Wrote:
What ever happened to the Unions original goal of a 40
workweek with time to spend with family.If the company forced
you guys to work 70 hrs a week listen to the bitching. I have
worked a total of 4 hrs overtime this year wife does not work
and believe it or not we survive.
|
Jeff Wrote:
I work as close to 60 as I can work each week. I usualy do a 8
hour dock day on the wekend to get to the magic number.
Most of our city drivers here in SLC are
at the magic mark by Friday night each week
In talking with my brothers at RDWY,ABF,
Redaway,UPS Freight they seem to do 70 in 8 whats up here.
The loads we leave with each morning most
the time you can not deliver three trailers in one day. But they
were on the street and they get their numbers. We do not deliver
freight at YELLOW we achive goals.
Ever wonder why the managment lets
the rail freight sit at the rail yard 3 or 4 days before
it gets brought back.. |
| I do not mind working. I also
can turn down weekend work too. If your out in the city its
pretty much you get off when they want . Sign the no OT sheet or
ask to be off on time you may as well tell the wall. Maybe some
new contract language is in order. |
|
If you wish to contribute please contact our news desk
or eMail the editor@roaddrivers.org
|
