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e are experiencing a great deal of confusion about the 14-hour segment of the new hours-of-service rules with respect to “sleeper-berth split” — especially with solo drivers.

We do a lot of multiple-stop deliveries where the shipper schedules the pickup time and each delivery. If the driver does not utilize the sleeper-berth split and takes a straight 10-hour break, he cannot complete the deliveries until the next day, which upsets the shipper and ties up the driver. We are working with our shippers to solve the problem, but we still have a way to go to resolving it.

The second comment I have is that, as anticipated, the drivers are taking longer to complete a run under the new HOS rules because of the 14-hour rule and the 10-hour rest period, which is causing them to complain that their earnings per hour or per day are declining. This is going to have to be addressed with them pretty quickly.

We have conducted a series of training classes with our drivers to teach them the new hours rules. Now we are having to hold training classes with our dispatch group to teach them how to plan a driver’s available work time.

Berle Tate

I>Safety Director

art International

os Angeles

This letter appeared in the Feb. 16 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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