Rules and Regulations

This area of the web site will be dedicated to different rules and regulations that pop up in the world of transportation, pertaining to Trucks and drivers.  Basically a little FYI (for your information),  if you have any information you would like to contribute or share with everyone, please give us a call or email us at the below email address.  Or if you want to check the validity of a comment from another driver, please give us a call and we will do our best to get an answer, don't just rely on the word of others.

Thanks

Keep it safe out there!

Professional drivers often work alone, all hours of the day , and in unfamiliar surroundings. They are often responsible for valuable cargo.  With all this combined it can make drivers an easy target for violence. If a driver is aware and prepared, they are unlikely to become a victim.  Here are a few hints.

• While in transit, keep the tractor and trailer doors locked all the time, keep windows rolled up until highway speed is reached.

• Expressway ramps and urban areas can be especially dangerous, because the vehicles can be boxed in easily. When stopped in traffic, leave enough space to be able to pull away if there is trouble.

• Be extra careful after making a pickup of a load, things often occur while heading to the highway.  If you have to stop, do it in a well-lit area or proceed to the nearest police station.

Safety at stops

• When stopping, park as close to your destination as possible, in a well-lit area, preferably near other vehicles. There is safety in numbers.

• Have a personal security plan in mind, know what to do if you are approached by a stranger.

• Lock the doors when you leave your vehicle, leaving all valuables out of site.

• Avoid conversations with strangers in dark or secluded parking lots.

• If you think you are being followed, wait in a safe place (truck stop, etc.) until the person is gone.

• Upon reentering a vehicle, check around and inside the vehicle, then lock the doors immediately.

• Stay in contact with dispatch, reporting anything unusual immediately.

• Never discuss your load on the CB, thieves may be monitoring your conversation.

Some businesses are taking to steps to ensure safety of the drivers. Below are some of the things they are using to make sure the drivers are safe:

• Good lighting;

• Fences around the perimeter of the lot;

• Security patrols

• Security cameras or security-related informational signs (No Trespassing or This Lot is Monitored by Security Cameras, etc.).

(Information on the above article was from J.J.Keller & Associates, Inc.)

Pretrip or Post trip?

Just a note to let you know that lately, DOT has been sighting our drivers for not showing 15 minutes for a post trip inspection.  We have always told you to show a 15 pre trip,now that has changed and we would like you to show a 15 minute post trip and flag the pre trip. I spoke with Richard Norberg who is with the State of Minnesota, DOT department and here is what he had to say:

"396.11 states that the driver must inspect and be satisfied that the vehicle is safe to operate before driving, and review and sign the report from the previous inspection.

396.11 states that at the end of each day's work, the driver must complete the vehicle inspection report covering the parts stated in that section."

So, if I read it right, you need to do the 15 minute post trip at the end of the day, then at the beginning of the next morning, before you drive, be satisfied that your vehicle is safe to drive, then sign the inspection.  It does not say anything about a time element, if you want to play it safe, do a 15 minute pre trip and 15 minute post trip.

RADAR DETECTORS - The use of a radar detector is illegal in a commercial vehicle. You should not even have a radar detector in the truck.  If the officer inspecting you even notes "Radar Detector In Use" it is considered by the federal system as a driver violation.

SPEEDING- Slow it down, obey the speed limits!  It is for your own protection as well as the company's.  Our insurance company routinely checks all of our drivers motor vehicle records, drivers with a number of violations can be terminated!  According to the federal records, R & R is in serious violation in regards to moving violations (speeds), we need to get this under control before we are forced to make drastic changes.  If you have 2 speeds over 15mph some states they are quickly placing a driver in suspension for a time period for reputation of such violations, along with the insurance companies taking such action as termination or suspension.

 OVERWEIGHT - Overweight violations are the driver's responsibility , weigh your load.  If you find yourself with a load that is overweight, contact your dispatcher and get the load reworked, don't just continue on.  The violation and any fines will be the drivers responsibility, overweight tickets can be very expensive.

LOGS - Failing to complete your logs is not acceptable.  You need to keep in mind all the Federal Hours of Service Regulations and if you have any questions please contact your log person.  Each day you must check call in to dispatch, please give them the hours you ran the day before.  Do this as they can help you see if you have enough hours to do the job that is needed to be done or give you something that will fit into your hours.  Please do not run over hours, this is a DOT finable offense!!  

Idling Laws

At the present time there are 16 states that have some type of law prohibiting or limiting idling.  Some states allow idling in specific circumstances, while other states have complete bans on idling after a specific after a specific number of minutes. 

 Below find a list of states that have idling laws of one form or another:

Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

State laws generally limit how many minutes a vehicle's main engine can be left idling.  In times of cold weather the District of Columbia and New Hampshire extend the minutes allowed.  Illinois and Utah, state that the vehicle must be turned off whenever it is unattended.  Illinois also restricts idling in the Chicago and East St. Louis areas to "sleeping only".  California only allows idling when the driver is sleeping in the truck.  In Texas the law only applies April 1 to Oct 31.  As well as states having laws that prohibit idling municipalities also have laws prohibiting idling.  Municipalities that have idling laws are generally stricter than the state rules.  Be sure that you are watching for posted signs and obeying all idling regulations!  If in doubt, feel free to call the safety office and we will do our best to try and find out the restrictions or any specific area.