New Rules Will Bring Repercussions

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Dear Editor,

We run two trucks to the U.S. Gulf Coast each week specializing in LTL. In order to remain in compliance for log times, we have always had to utilize the option of split bunk time to effectively accomplish the multiple pickups and deliveries in an efficient time frame to keep our customers happy and ensure our drivers two days at home each week.

No more log time and nowhere to park is already a disaster – rest areas and truck stops are full by early evening and the Interstate on/off ramps are usually full in the middle of the night. It is especially bad the closer to the border you get! What are we going to do in the winter when there is snow buildup and nowhere to pull off?

Our industry is in crisis for lack of drivers. This business is dominated by “grey hairs” over 40 – there are not anywhere near enough younger people coming into the industry to pick up the slack. Older drivers such as myself with good experience and good track records are regularly harassed (by Ontario in particular) out of the business. There are not enough younger people willing to put up with the hassles of which this change is just another. It will not result in safer roads.

From experience I can tell you my (over 60) body is programmed for four to five hours sleep and five hours driving.

At my age I am not going to be able to easily reprogram my system to adapt to a longer sleep time.

Lying in the bunk awake doesn’t result in further rest – just tremendous frustration that you can’t get moving and it will take much longer to get the job done and get home.

We will be going from a proven efficient and legal operation to longer service times for the customers, increased rates, ridiculous inefficient hours for the driver and less home time each week making it even more difficult to find and keep drivers.

And, as the insurance companies already know, putting more new inexperienced drivers on the roads will result in more accidents, higher rates, good businesses being shut down and less safe highways.

Obviously the bureaucrats who come up with these new regulations are not in tune with the real world and the hellish side effects that are going to break loose if these changes go into effect and are stringently enforced.

Some flexibility and common sense is desperately needed here to keep freight moving in the manner to which the public, shippers and truckers are accustomed.

Beverley Hillips

Via email

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Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


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