On January 4, 2004 new rules of Service regulations became effective and the 14 Hour Rule was certainly the most controversial of them.
Truck drivers in general feel they can't respect a rule that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) cannot explain completely and properly; and proof of this is that the FMCSA keeps "clarifying" the rule almost two years after its effective date. Truckers feel that the rule debilitates their ability to function in their jobs.
Most of the driver's complaints come from the fact that this questionable rule forbids them to take meal breaks and naps among other basic needs. This rule gives drivers the pressure of having to meet what it says even if it means skipping breaks that they would have taken. Their physical and mental well-being is at risk not to mention the impact that this could have in safety.
Hours of Service have always been a problem when cheating is involved. For many drivers the FMCSA has made more liars in the trucking industry, this because only good liars can survive the kind of regulations that the FMCSA has.
Logbook cheating will certainly increase. Approximately three million drivers will not accept massive pay cuts in order to cooperate with the 14 Hour Rule.
This is not a good situation for truck drivers. They are basically going to lose unless a policy that compensates drivers is set. Truckers are already following the highest standards, is not right to keep giving them more regulations.