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OTHER ISSUES

Compliance Pays Off

by Todd Spencer, OOIDA Exec. Vice President

One of the biggest -- and most persuasive -- myths in trucking is that strict compliance with all the safety rules will cost financially. Some truckers are convinced that following the rules will put them out of business.

Will it? Will it cost you money?

Yes, in some cases serious compliance can cost you a load -- but only if the shipper or broker can find another trucker willing to break the rules. This is why compliance by all truckers is so very important.

Will complying with the rules cost you?

Certainly not, in the long run. In fact, complying with the rules will be the salvation for truckers in the future.

Truck safety enforcement is big business in the nation’s capital and throughout the states. Even small communities are getting involved. The motives may be outrageous and miss the real safety issues, but expanded enforcement targeting truck drivers is very popular with many people in positions of influence.

And why not? It’s a political winner. Elected officials love to talk about safety while they gladly spend more of your tax dollars for enforcement. Who will stand up and object to these supposed safety initiatives? Not many people dare to do this. Simply ask for genuine, verifiable improvement in highway safety and you can be labeled as “anti-safety.” It’s like arguing against motherhood, God and country, or apple pie.

Many trucking industry players adamantly support bigger enforcement budgets targeting drivers. We may understand that unreasonable and unfair enforcement practices simply cause more good drivers to leave the industry than bad ones, but to people unfamiliar with trucking it’s wonderful public relations. There is an added benefit for carriers: taxpayer-funded enforcement targeting drivers means taxpayers pick up the tab for what amounts to a private motor carrier security force. Good, safe, responsible drivers don’t need constant surveillance. Truck drivers who don’t meet safety and responsibility criteria should never have jobs in trucking to start with.

You see bad drivers every day. So does the public. Bad drivers give lawmakers a reason to demand higher fines, more enforcement, lane restrictions, split speed limits and lots more. Bad drivers are out there because some carriers simply look for the least costly workers they can find in the United States or anywhere around the globe.

We suspect that once a majority of drivers start really complying with the rules, others -- including carriers -- will quickly see the need for action on their part.

We’ve already heard one member describe how a shipper who regularly loaded him in five to six hours trimmed loading to only one hour so drivers could make on-time delivery without having to push themselves and violate the rules. All it took was three loads that couldn’t be delivered when they were promised because the driver complied with the rules.

There really is no downside to complying with the rules. By not complying with them, you make yourself the most likely target for strict enforcement. When you push yourself to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, you put highway safety at risk for yourself and others on the highway. And you undermine your own personal health. Not only do truckers lead the nation in the number of workplace fatalities each year, drivers also die as much as 15 years younger than the national average. The stress of the job, the irregular sleep habits and overall lack of adequate sleep contributes to truckers literally working themselves into early graves.

I’ve not met many lazy truckers. The overwhelming majority of people enter this profession eager to be productive - believing that if you are willing to work hard -- unbelievably hard at times -- you will prosper.

That desire to be super-productive, coupled with our willingness to find ways around the rules, has turned into a trap. It’s a trap of our own doing that snares most truckers. But we have a way to get out of that trap and it’s totally in our control. Just stop doing it!

Comply with the rules - every single one of them. The impact will be tremendous and you will quickly see the system that now takes advantage of you begin working to your advantage.

Carriers and shippers will schedule trucks on a timely basis. That will allow you to make on-time delivery in a reasonable amount of time. Receivers will do a better job of scheduling trucks and removing cargo in a timely manner.

Will you lose money by complying?

You may think so initially, but once the momentum builds, the system will change rapidly. What you may lose by driving the legal 10 hours instead of the 14 to 16 hours you may drive now will more than be offset by eliminating wasted time you now donate - the 33 to 43 hours many drivers spend loading and unloading plus other hours you now work without compensation. In short, much of the time you now donate can be time used for income-producing activity.

Will compliance mean that transportation costs will rise?

Maybe a little; rates need to be higher. But for the most part, they won’t. Shippers and receivers will not pay for needless or avoidable costs. Once your time has value to them, they will quickly improve their efficiency. Trucks will get loaded and unloaded on schedule and in a timely manner.

Will the industry slow down, thus delaying delivery of needed shipments?

Not likely. Once carriers, shippers, receivers, brokers and others realize you will comply with the rules, they will adjust their practices quickly. The industry will become more efficient.

Again, you have the control!

When you don’t log the hours you work, you have assigned $0 value to your time and expertise. If you comply with all the rules, the system is forced to value your time. Just comply with the rules.

We fully suspect many will try to talk you out of truly complying with the rules -- logging 15 to 30 minutes for loading/unloading instead of the 8 hours it really took, or logging at 65 mph (650 miles per day) when your true average speed was closer to 44 mph and a 440 mile driving shift.

Just say no. Do it the way it’s supposed to be done. If you are threatened or coerced or pressured, document the details immediately. You can start with the form on Page 15 in this issue. A good idea would be to photocopy this form and keep a dozen handy. Fax them to us (two fax numbers are on the form). If you are faced with a severe situation, of course, call OOIDA.

This is the opportunity to reverse a self-destructive pattern of behavior. The solution is simple and totally within our control. Just comply with the rules. I don’t think it will be easy for some, perhaps many, to comply. The system has worked against drivers for too long. It will take guts and some sacrifice, but the alternatives are far worse.