Driving Over Allowed Hours

Hi guys, I'm not a truck driver, but I have a question that you can hopefully answer: I know a guy who has a midsize trucking business, about 40 trucks. I know for a fact (he was bragging) that his drivers are driving over the allowed hours. His company is still on paper logs. I'm hesitant being a "snitch", but I was in a crash a few years ago that I barely survived, and the trucker that hit me fell asleep after driving 20+ hours. He went to jail, and the company went out of business. I've been terrified of semi trucks ever since, and would feel terrible if someone has to go through what I went through, and I was able to do something to prevent it. I tried reporting to the DOT , but they want my name, and I'd prefer to do it anonymously. He's not a friend of mine, but we have lots of common friends. I don't think he's a great boss, as his drivers keep quitting. I guess some are not willing to be pushed to break the law but, then again, some are. So, in short, my question is: Is there a way to report him that will not require me to provide my name? Thanks in advance for the help!

I can understand your frustration. There's not a driver on this site that likes to here about companies not like to play outside the federal guidelines. The problem you face is because the government doesn't see it as a imminent danger your going to be hardpressed to find an agency like dot to find just cause to investigate this company without knowing who is filing the complaint.

Unfortunately most of the time it's the driver themselves that get the majority of penalties when they do get caught. Although they are responsible for their own actions it surprises me none of them haven't turned this company in yet. Please be aware this sort of behavior is the minority and most of our companies are reputable and safety minded. I've never been asked to violate my clock in order to run more miles or get to my destination. Now I do have one idea and it may or may not be affective. We have a blitz week coming up in the middle of June. This is when law enforcement increases activity to find drivers and companies that are running unsafely. If you have any local law enforcement in your area that may like a heads up on this matter maybe they would take an interest. Maybe perhaps let DOT know as well.

You can indeed let DOT know and they'll keep it confidential. Please don't ask me how I know this. Try emailing them. It will also be beneficial if you can sneak a few pictures of the information on some of the trucks to attach to the email... That helps then be on the lookout for this particular company near scales. If you know their freight lanes, even better because they'll share the info from state to state.

Also know that the drivers will be the one hurt the most, so tread carefully.

Thanks for the replies!

Also know that the drivers will be the one hurt the most, so tread carefully.

Susan, that's what bothers me the most. Most of his drivers are immigrants. They are legal, but most have inadequate English, and I think that's one of the reasons he's able to push them to break the law, they are afraid they'll get fired and won't be able to get another job. So, if I can do anything, I want to do it against his company, and not single out a single driver or truck. How do I contact the DOT? I tried their website, but the option they provide asks for my name and phone number. Thanks again!

So here's whats going to happen.

You report them and if he finds out there goes a few friendships.

And if you report them and the DOT follows through and inspects the trucks as they pass by can you guess who will also receive a hefty fine that may jeopardize them and their families? The drivers.

They quit because the pay is probably low, they may or may not struggle to find employment elsewhere, or they get too tired of running over the hours. So let them quit.

Honestly, this is just my opinion and does not reflect TT's opinion but I think you have nothing better to do with your time. I think you should just go on with your life and let his company fall from under his feet. All of his drivers are grown men, I highly doubt they need or want you to ruin their lives.

My wife is a dispatcher for a small Russian company and they run over their hours as needed. In my opinion, the current HoS are way too soft and should be increased to provide for more drive time considering how long it takes to get loaded/unloaded nowadays.

But again, this is just my personal opinion.

I'm on paper logs and occasionally I will do what is considered cheating, but not to run like a crazy person but just the opposite. For example, I'll stop to sleep during 0100-0400 when my body naturally wants to sleep. Then start up again but technically my 14 would be done and I haven't gotten a full break.

This in my opinion is much safer then when I was on electronic logs and was forced to push through the night. I'll take another nap later in the day while being unloaded.

I know this will soon be a thing of the past and I will again be on elogs again. I still make decent money on elogs but will be forced to having to stop for a 10 hour break in the middle of the day occasionally when I'm not able to sleep, then run through the night after the sleepless daytime break.

Back 20 years ago, you could actually nap like that, when your body said you needed a rest. The HOS regs were much more reasonable than they are now, imo

Chris I'm happy to see you're still alive.

Long time no see my good friend!

I'm somewhat in your neighborhood, staying in Oakland CA tonight. Tough to cross paths with you these days. I'm doing intermodal now, mostly Oregon and Washington. Glad to see you back here at TT.

Chris I'm happy to see you're still alive.

Long time no see my good friend!