Mar
10
Why Truck Log Books Are So Important
There are a lot of trucking laws in operation these days and they control everything from what a truck driver can carry on their truck to how many hours they can drive in one session. While many truck drivers feel these laws are nothing but a nuisance, they have been introduced to increase safety on our roads, and to ensure drivers make it home to their families at the end of each run.
Truck drivers are limited to how long they can stay behind the wheel before they take breaks. More importantly, truck drivers are required to show they have taken sufficient time away from driving in order to get a reasonable amount of sleep. Lack of sleep is one of the primary causes of road accidents each year and prior to log books was the number one cause of trucking accidents.
Your log book is an important record as it shows when and where you started your journey, when and where you took rest breaks and whether or not there have been any issues. Inspectors are permitted to examine your log book at any time and any discrepancies will be noted and cause result in either heavy fines or perhaps even the cancellation of your CDL. Some truck drivers try to game the system, however, modern technology which includes highway cameras can quickly prove a log book wrong. Toll and highway receipts must be kept and these too have times recorded on them.
Log books are an important part of truck driving safety. Keeping a clean, tidy and accurate log book will see most drivers sail through any inspection. In most cases, truck drivers who work for large trucking companies don’t need to game the system – they can keep accurate log books thus protecting themselves and their employer. Of course, log books also help to protect everyone else on the roads, you and your family included. Learning how to maintain a log book should be an important component of any truck driver training program.
