OPINIONS and QUERIES
Page 31
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Can Whole Truth be Told on Log Sheets?
SOME drivers in the employ of my company were filling in their log sheets at a cafe a few days ago when the proprietor said to one of them: "Now, mind you tell the truth in that." The driver addressed replied: " If the man who invented these things could make a trip for only one day and record the truth, minute by minute, on a log sheet like this he would be a masterpiece."
Another driver referred to some of the difficulties. He cited the case of a man who started work at 5 a.m., arrived at his destination—a .large factory, where his vehicle was unloaded and reloaded—and was ready to drive off again at 10.30 a.m., but was then due for his official rest period of 30 mins. There happened to be a canteen at the works, but at that time no service was obtainable and there was no other suitable place in the vicinity, whilst hanging around in Cold weather seemed ridiculous and was uncomfortable. The 'alternative was to drive on and have a break later. Do you think that he recorded this fact correctly? Not Pygmalion likely! In practice many drivers take a quick snack and a cup of tea during the first two hours on the road; this calls for a halt of about 10 Mins:, and it is currous that, when this little break is omitted, things seem to go in:rong throughout the day.
Actually, the, man referred to above ,had this short ' break, which, although not legally recognized, is all that he really required.
From what 1 see, most drivers prefer to .get the bulk of their work done. before having the rest period.
It is generally the opinion that, whilst log sheets are valuable as -credentials and records, there are factors, even during peace-time, which render true entries often impracticable and create difficulties in ,connection with hours, working periods and speed.
Work cannot always efficiently be confined to 11 hrs. nor to a 14-hr. spread-over. As to speed, we are all waiting for the powers that be to grant -30 m.p.h. to the heavier vehicles. To drive for long at 20 m.p.h.
• almost sends one to sleep and may thus constitute an additional danger, whilst if you drive a little faster you • may be caught for "speeding," also then the log sheets cannot be filled in correctly. In these times of shortage of paper it seems that they
• might well be dispensed with, but 'at least the regulations should be modified so as to give a certain amount of elasticity. This would remove many of the worries of a driver and contribute substantially to speeding up
the war effort. OFF' THE RECORD., Maidenhead'.