Last month we discussed the important steps you need to know when filling out a Log Book. While it may seem like many of these steps come across and tedious and unnecessary we cannot stress enough how important it is to always keep your log book up to date and always follow the steps each and every time.
What the Rules Mean
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces these rules and regulations. Under section 395.8, drivers must preserve a record of their activities in their trucking log book. Drivers who make false reports or inaccurately fill out their book may face prosecution.
A driver’s signature confirmation certifies the accurate reporting of activities, making the driver responsible for updating their status as it happens. It goes without saying that filling out a book and making it completely accurate not only benefits the company but the laws that are currently in place.
Take You Log Book Seriously: It’s Here to Help You
You might make a few jokes about the super repetitive nature of the log book and its almost religious attention to detail. While it’s easy to make light of it and even easier to be tempted to arrive at locations early to earn a little extra money or not face the consequences for arriving late, again we strong disagree with doing this.
The log book, in fact, is designed to help the driver in the long run and protect them from being overworked and fatigued. It has been proven before drivers who are tired and not attentive run the risk of being less alert as well as even more dangerous scenarios such as falling asleep behind the wheel and becoming involved in auto-related accidents.
What to Do in a Unsafe Situation
As a driver, you should never feel tempted or pressured to be dishonest with your log book. If you are ever in the presence of an employer who wants you to make a deadline in an unreasonable amount of time or act unlawfully with your log book (something we will never do), you are encouraged to contact The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Your Hours of Service (HOS) regulations should never be questionable and your safety and career should never be put in jeopardy.