{"id":1546,"date":"2017-10-30T17:11:49","date_gmt":"2017-10-30T17:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=1546"},"modified":"2017-10-30T17:11:49","modified_gmt":"2017-10-30T17:11:49","slug":"truck-drivers-what-do-you-think-about-split-sleeper-berth-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/truck-drivers-what-do-you-think-about-split-sleeper-berth-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Truck Drivers : What Do You Think About Split Sleeper Berth Options?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you heard? The FMCSA is starting a study to see if there may be safer ways than a normal sleeper berth for tired truck drivers looking for a rest. That\u2019s why a program \u2013 started prior to the new administration coming into office \u2013 will proceed to pilot split sleeper berths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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But what is prompting this new study?<\/p>\n

What Made Truck Drivers Unhappy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ever since the Hours of Service (HOS) rule came into play in 2013, truckers have been none-too-happy with the limited options they have for a good rest. The plain truth is, the one-size-fits-all aspect of the 8-and-2 rule is quite limiting in nature.<\/p>\n

Some may argue that it makes truck drivers less safe on the roads because they then should be on the road during daytime hours when highways, roads, bridges and about everywhere else is most congested.<\/p>\n

Still, others say that the 8-and-2 rule requires that a truck driver stay on the road and keep running no matter what and run their hours out regardless of how tired they are, which would represent a safety problem no matter how you look at it.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only been since around 2005 that truck drivers, fleets and other industry players have floated the idea of splitting the off-time between two periods. Prior to 2005, truck drivers had the option to split their sleeper berth however worked best for their operating schedule.<\/p>\n

This is where the 8-and-2 split came into being. It represented what many within the industry saw as an unnecessary intrusion on a truck driver\u2019s ability to manage her or his time.<\/p>\n

All of this should be kept in mind even as the HOS rule itself has gone through a number of different iterations. What truckers have had to go through keeping up with it all certainly is hard to fathom.<\/p>\n

Even a major motor carrier weighed in on the potential rule-making years back when the debate first began. Major fleet CRST Expedited \u2013 one of the top 20 carriers in North America \u2013 filed an exemption request<\/a> when the rule first came to light.<\/p>\n

They wanted to allow their truck drivers to use split sleeper berth time. This was how they would still stay in compliance with federal regulation during on- and off-duty periods.<\/p>\n

They even offered concessions in their requests, from reducing on-driving time to 10 hours or equipping exempted truck drivers with speed limiters. They even went as far as to say they would install collision-avoidance systems on all fleet trucks should they be granted the waiver.<\/p>\n

Of course, not all fleets are of this size, nor are they able to make such a request under the circumstances provided.<\/p>\n

Specifically, CRST was not looking for an exemption by itself, but merely the ability to be flexible in how that 10-hour off time is used.<\/p>\n

What is the Split Sleeper Method?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The method used by CRST specifically outlines a situation where the truck drivers in a particular fleet are flexible with their 10-hour off-duty time. But what does this mean?<\/p>\n

As CRST puts it, their truck drivers would have the opportunity to \u201cexperience more quality rest.\u201d It would also provide for shorter shifts behind the wheel.<\/p>\n

Or, what if a truck driver could complete a 10 \u2013 11 hour driving shift with a partner at the ready? When a truck driver is feeling fatigued, having a partner there at the ready could make all the difference in the world, or, shall we say, over the road.<\/p>\n

Team truck drivers typically would operate in a 5-and-6 or a 6-and-4 configuration. These questions were on the table back then, but what is set to happen right now? With change on the horizon, many are now asking, what\u2019s up with this new rule?<\/p>\n

On the Horizon<\/strong><\/p>\n

No matter who comes or goes in the White House or on Capitol Hill, the names for things will forever themselves be either obvious or obtuse, no matter which party they come from.<\/p>\n

This rule, entitled \u201cHours of Service of Drivers; Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Drivers To Split Sleeper Berth Time\u201d is quite literally within the obvious category.<\/p>\n

What this rule shows is that the FMCSA may be considering the possibility that allows a truck driver to split up their off-duty sleeper time to fit their need might not be so bad, after all.<\/p>\n

The program \u2013 as it is designed \u2013 seeks to gather 200 truck drivers together to be a part of the study for a full 90 days. The study itself will look at three different split sleeper options in determining what may be best for the truck drivers themselves.<\/p>\n

The options include:<\/p>\n