Driven Women

Logbooks—What’s the Point?

Dear GG---I can’t believe how many drivers fudge their logbooks. When I’m tired, I stop. I don’t push myself any further than what I can do. Let’s get rid of logbooks!

What’s the point?

Allan D., Arkansas

Allan,

In September 1999, a truck driver swerved into a guardrail on Rt. 78 in Pennsylvania. The trailer jumped the guardrail and crashed into a van, killing four passengers and wounding two others. One of the fatalities, Christopher, was only four years-old. The driver was indicted on 42 counts of “making false statements to the DOT.” In other words, he falsified his logbook for 42 days. Is the failure with the law, the driver, shippers, receivers, consumers, or all of the above?

Bottom line, trucks don’t move without a driver. The driver is responsible for their personal well-being, ensuring the trailer is loaded and properly labeled, and setting clear, realistic expectations with their dispatcher. Drivers with 1,000,000-plus miles logged have said, “Experience taught me when to say no.”

Allan, without some type of governance, it would be a free-for- all. If you have any ideas for improving the law or how it’s managed, speak up. Otherwise, keep doing what you’re doing and help others do the same.

Drive safely. The alternative isn’t worth it.

GG

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You can e-mail Golden Girl at landrese@aol.com or mail your letter to Pro
Trucker Magazine, P.O. Box 549, Roswell, GA 30077-0549.