Why do truck drivers have 14 hour rules? ?

Question

About a year ago I heard that when you are up past 14 hours, your reaction time is equivalent to someone having a .08 BAC. Is this true and can anyone name a source? I seen it on the internet somewhere.

Answer 1

Try this site it is very helpful.........

http://www.schneider.com/drivers/news/HO...

Answer 2

The 14 hrs applies to the length of working day a truck driver can legally work.  This 14hr rule is further split down by the number of driving hours, other working hours and non specific waiting time.

In the EU a driver can only work a total of 90hrs driving ever 2 weeks which is further reduced as follows: Not more than 3 x 15 hr days per week and 3 x 13 hr days in the same week,  not more than 2 x 11hr rest periods and 3 x 9 hr rest periods within the same week.  the totals for the week must average out as 45hrs per week over a 16 week period. Simple in it?  Oh yes you must all so take into account ferry and train journey times which also count in the 45hr rule.

Answer 3

This site from Australia states that being awake more than 17 hours is equivalent to having a .05 BAC:

  

http://www.tacsafety.com.au/jsp/content/...

The 14 hour rule is a relatively new development, primarily thought up by a bunch of government people pandering to special interest groups, none of whom have ever spent a single day behind the wheel of a big truck.  

Used to be you could drive 10 and sleep 8, and you had a lot more personal flexibility as to HOW you could schedule your driving to suit your personal needs.  The new 14 hours/11 hours driving isn't as flexible and some drivers take fewer breaks, don't stop for lunch, etc....since they feel pressured to be as productive as possible and cram it all into a 14 hour time frame.  

There's rules because unfortunately there are a few dumb a$$ drivers out here who do unsafe things and ruin it for the rest of us....so the government steps in and creates more rules, lol :)....

Answer 4

if there wasn't a law some idiots would drive 24/7<

Answer 5

in all truth-dispatch would cram another load down your throat and tell you it has to be there or you will be finding another job-14 hours work day is enough for anybody who works 24-7-the human body needs time for showers eats and rest

here is a link try any key word search using dot sleep research

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/r...

Answer 6

have you ever stayed up for more than 20 Hrs? it decreases ability cause ur body needs rest after 14 hrs, especially for driving 14 hrs and it sucks

Answer 7

The new hours of service states that drivers may have up to 14 hours of "on duty" time with no more than 11 hours of total driving time in that period. Meaning they can drive 11 hours and work an additional 3 and then they must take a consecutive 10 hour break.

There is additonal information here.

http://www.thetruckersplace.com/ddlinfo....