Does the Ice road truckers have the same rules as every other trucker.

[Susan Dunsavage]

I would like to know when the ice road truckers are driving on us roads if they have to make a log out. Do they have to obey 11 hours on and 8 hours off. Because when they are driving over 15 hours they are putting their lives in danger and other truckers lives also. I don't care who you are when you are tried your driving is impaired, and you can't make the right choices. can anyone answer my question.

[trucker 123456789]

i dont think they need to obey the rule because it looks like the were driving for 20 plus hours

[Joe Gattuso]

On "reality" shows, looks can be deceiving. I'm sure there are a lot of things in the show that look one way or really are, or happened, another way. I wouldn't think there would be an exception to the rule for such a dangerous road, unless with so few places along The Dalton to stop someone decided that would be safer to let truckers complete a run in whatever time it takes. But I doubt that. And if the rule applies, it would be crazy for the truckers to violate it on TV and risk losing their licenses.

[Joe Gattuso]

P.S. to my earlier reply: It occurred to me that my answer about reality shows not being always real could also be the answer to the question I posted about why the trucks are shown almost running in the daytime even though it's winter and they are near or above the article circle. Perhaps the show's prodcuers have them taking a couple of days to do each run, during daylight hours, but the show doesn't explain that.

[Joe Gattuso]

What do you know, this came up on the most recent episode. Did you know it was coming or am I behind on seeing the episodes?! The newest one I've seen shows Hugh getting cited for not having a 10 hour break. Somewhere someone mentioned that the rule was that drivers can be on 16 hours before having to take 10 off. The standard DOT/Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration rule is 11 on and 10 off. This got me curious enough to do a Google search. It turns out there is an exception specificallly for Alaska in section 395.1 rules that allows for 15 hours on and 10 hours off. The only thing I haven't figured out yet is why on the TV show they said 16 hours. Maybe that's getting off duty at the yard. I saw something about 16 hours in 393.1(o)(3), which makes an exemption to the 11 hour rule of 393.1 if " The driver has returned to the normal work reporting location and the carrier releases the driver from duty within 16 hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty." Does anyone know these rules and that means? Here are some links:

FMCSA section 395.1:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmc...

Summary:
www.concretepumpers.com/pdfs/Hours_ServiceRegs.pdf

Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hours_of_service

[Wokit]

we dont' violate the log book on tv! you are right that would be dumb. but tv doesn't show us sleeping or taking breaks. that would be boring. you guys are reading way too deep into this.... the show is for entertainment.

[Joe Gattuso]

This is almost a part two to my reply to yours re filming in the dark. I know the show is entertainment, but it is also in the reality genre. It has a narrative that is presented as being non-fiction and having some degree of authenticity. I suppose no one every came right out and said that it's not fiction! Viewers are presented with the stories of individual runs up and down the road and what happens on them. If the runs were at night and they're shown as in the day, and if they're shown as having taken place over one day (unless stopped by a storm or something) but in fact they took several days, then it sounds more like fictional entertainment.

Also, I admit I went a little deep on researching the HOS rules! I got curious about the answer so just had to look them up.

Joe

[Wokit]

what happen that season really happened . but you have to make a few adjustments to make it interesting to the veiwer and tv worthy

[Joe Gattuso]

Absolutely! Otherwise it would be just a boring documentary. I happened to catch a rerun of a one-time show on the History Channel about the Canadian ice road truckers. I guess it was the precursor of the series. It had interviews with different drivers, and the production values weren't nearly as good. It was much less interesting to watch.

Thanks again.

[Susan Dunsavage]

I am not trying to read to much in the show. But, my problem is that when ever the news or anyone else interviews drivers or have a show like ice road truckers they should show that drivers do have rules to comply with. They always interview the driver that is dirty and have a dirty truck, so people get the wrong idea about truck drivers, so my problem is if the show doesn't show that drivers go to sleep like they are suppose to and drive responsible. How can we show everyone that truck drivers are responsible and not the bad guy. If you take a pole and ask people what they think about truck drivers almost everyone will say something bad about them.

[Dennis Morris]

OK here Susan, let me help you with your grammar first. Your title should read "Do The Ice Road Truckers.... OK end of lesson. Actually you bring up a good point. Some of the comments I have seen advertised if that you have to be able to drive 30 Hours at a stretch with no breaks. Who are they kidding. There is no way any responsible trucker would do that unless you are fighting your way through a storm and cannot stop on the ice. Then that I could understand. I am just looking into this but I am sure that regular log book regulations apply. I know in Canada you can drive for 13 hours per day and a maximum of 15 work hours then a mandatory 10 hour break but even though I am Canadian most of my driving was into the US so I always followed the US rules. I do not think that the rules would be different for the Northern Community but again there may be exceptions because of the time restraints to getting freight delivered due to it being such a short season...All the best. Here is a pic for you...

[Wokit]

actually it's 15 hours. not 16. and it doesn't matter how boring of a driver you are, they can edit the show to make you look very exciting! hahahha

[D G Bear]

The ice road is a private road, paid for by the oil companys using it. DOT and all that other crap does not apply on private roads. It is up to the oil companys and trucking companys "due dilligance" to ensure the hours of operation are safe. Once you get on public roads all bets are off, all rules apply. Why do you think they can haul those subs and derrics with no pilot cars or permits?