Biggest Frustrations

Davy, you nailed it! That was spectacular.

People who know little or nothing of the challenges we face as drivers have always regulated this industry. It's painfully obvious. The rules are almost always influenced by special-interest groups who paved our road to hell with their good intentions.

Many years ago, when they implemented the 14-hour rule, I thought it would last a week. I vividly remember reading about it for the first time because the ignorance of such an idea floored me. Who on Earth could believe the safest way to do our job is in a 14-hour block? Then they added the mandatory 30-minute break, but it had to be within a certain time of day. Then they did away with that idea.

Now they've recently added clarity on the split sleeper berth rule.

So what have they done? Slowly and quietly backtracked on most of the rules to make them more like they were before they stuck their noses in it and screwed it all up. The safest logbook rules we had were the old rules from the 90s and before. They were in use for decades and made perfect sense. But you know how the government is. They never leave a good thing alone and would never admit to making a mistake.

One of my biggest frustrations is people who are complete outsiders to trucking writing articles about trucking. They are everywhere. It's so obvious after just reading the first few sentences. I'm guessing they are people trying to work at home writing content for websites. They are so terribly informed that it's embarrassing to read what they produce.

I fear you may be another link in this never ending chain of people who think they can solve the truck driver's problems. Haha! You don't know truck drivers! As soon as you've improved whatever irrelevant tools you are working on, we will have developed another hundred or more problems we don't like about our job.

Give us a job to do and we will make it happen. Give us a minute or two to start thinking and we will come up with several complaints. We're truck drivers - that's what we do.

I agree with this statement - it's the exact reason why I'm looking to actual people. When a company thinks "inside-to-out," they neglect the people who use that product, and make assumptions along the way. We're reversing things to be 'customer first.' It'll take time and input, but I think we can get there.

If it helps set anyone at ease, I'll be involved with helping drivers get 'little green lights,' more efficiently.

Keep the feedback coming, everyone!

Getting older by the minute with all the physical problems that come with old age. That’s my biggest frustration. Can you do anything about that? Please?

One of my biggest frustrations is people who are complete outsiders to trucking writing articles about trucking. They are everywhere. It's so obvious after just reading the first few sentences. I'm guessing they are people trying to work at home writing content for websites. They are so terribly informed that it's embarrassing to read what they produce.

+1

+2

Also, let's take the path of "Just because we can, doesn't mean we SHOULD."

take for instance Prepass transponders vs DriveWyze.

The Prepass only gives two options. Green and Red. Where it's positioned on the windshield, you can accurately get the instructions via a simple mirror sweep. Short, to the point, and all the information I need. Yes or No.

DriveWyze (incidentally, they can 🖕 right off) is loaded into the QC. It has all sorts of bells and whistles. That's awesome! Low-ish clearance warning, rollover risk! Speed zone change! Freaking awesome.

Except that it overtakes the entire QC screen, and has even covered the "Bypass" or "Pull in" message. Funny thing is, you can't recall that clearance message while in drive status, as it should be.

Those rollover warnings on exits? Yeah. They aren't on my route. The ones that are on my route? They pop the warning halfway through the curve. Arguably way too late to do anything about it. So it begs the question, what exactly is the point?

The location of the QC in my Freightliner, and in the Peterbilts (I haven't been in others, so can only speak to those two) make it a requirement to remove my eyes from the road and READ a screen. Great job guys!

I drive at night. More often than not, I have the screen dimmed to black on the QC, because even the lowest light setting, it messes up my night vision.

I drive a reefer. Some of them are notorious for sending QC messages in error. 119 on one load alone. So I run with the volume off. This makes all the alerts coming in from DriveWyze silent as well. The DW alerts will also interrupt navigation instructions.

My FM knows this. If she needs an answer ASAP, she knows she better dial the phone. So, what they have done, for the sake of all these bells and whistles and "ohhhh look at this" is get away from a very safe, and effective system, that only has two answers, yes or no. In favor of a system that requires you to shift your focal distance from far to near, and READ while driving.

But what do I know? I just hold the steering wheel wearing my sweatpants and flip flops.

One of my biggest frustrations is people who are complete outsiders to trucking writing articles about trucking. They are everywhere. It's so obvious after just reading the first few sentences. I'm guessing they are people trying to work at home writing content for websites. They are so terribly informed that it's embarrassing to read what they produce.

+1

I am working on improving tools that a large number of trucks/fleets use in the industry. What those tools are, is irrelevant

I think you are wrong. Just the opposite, what these tools are is the only thing that is relevant, at least for me.

There have been many great responses. My biggest frustration is with too many people that are self centered, self absorbed, and believe they are all that matters. Heaven forbid we get in their way for 15-30 seconds while they are driving.

I firmly believe as a society too many folks have no respect anymore. It reflects in many ways, espically driving.

There is no way on earth law enforcement can tackle the problem. We rely on folks to do the right thing and voluntary compliance. However CMV’s are always the target of new rules. Why?? Insurance companies use technogly to moniter new or teen drivers, why not others??

Alot can be done these days to tackle safety on our roadways, but the folks in charge have to really want a safer outcome instead of some quick fix that only gives an appearance, not a positive result.

I am working on improving tools that a large number of trucks/fleets use in the industry. What those tools are, is irrelevant

I think you are wrong. Just the opposite, what these tools are is the only thing that is relevant, at least for me.

I'm happy to say, in private - though I don't see a way to on this site. It's merely a precaution to avoid potential issues with management & marketing. I hope you can understand.

I understand that you are bound by employer limitations, but the best way to find specific information and specific frustrations is to state what your tool is or even what it does. This approach to "frustrations," while appearing helpful, is the same as throwing spaghetti at the wall, and hoping a full serving sticks.

Also, if you haven't figured it out yet, you can ask 100 drivers the same exact question, and every one of them will come up with a different answer, and over half will be glad to tell you why everyone else is wrong. This is why specificity is important.

I am working on improving tools that a large number of trucks/fleets use in the industry. What those tools are, is irrelevant

I think you are wrong. Just the opposite, what these tools are is the only thing that is relevant, at least for me.

I'm happy to say, in private - though I don't see a way to on this site. It's merely a precaution to avoid potential issues with management & marketing. I hope you can understand.

@Naenaeinnc - actually, i thought maybe you’d figured it out in your previous post - the little green / red light you prefer over a competitor’s app? :)

Right now I am actually looking for general replies and variety to better our understanding of truckers. Saying more risks adding bias to responses.

But, to your point, i actually would want to talk specifics to what we do next. But… that’s a different post!