Comments on: that sleep of death

By: Capricious Commuter

Capricious Commuter — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:14:20 +0000

Hayden, I hope its comforting to know that last night, I got the first good night’s sleep since my trip, so tonight’s trip home should be less of a struggle.

By: Hayden K.

Hayden K. — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:35:28 +0000

I’m with your wife. My grandfather died this way (driving home across Texas late at night); my father almost died the same way (driving home across Illinois late at night); too much dedication to work and not enough to oneself, perhaps. At least they were both single-vehicle crashes.

Jet lag is incredible, especially for those of us who don’t sleep in aircraft–it is a good reminder that there are times when it is almost impossible to remain awake. Even if one is awake, one’s judgment is shot.

With limited exceptions–perhaps delivering transplant organs or a vital vaccine a la the Iditarod–it should be possible for people to get enough sleep while doing work or driving home or whatnot. It’s healthier for them and, as you point out, ultimately for all of us.

By: Doug Faunt

Doug Faunt — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:45:10 +0000

In February of 2001, a motorist fell asleep while driving, and his vehicle ended up on the railway track at Selby, causing a major accident and the death of 10 railway passengers.
You can check the BBC News web site.

By: Reedman

Reedman — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:22:40 +0000

I believe that part of the anger the Teamsters have about NAFTA is tied to the possibility of Mexican truckers driving unlimited hours in the USA, and there is no recourse due to the combination of national sovereignty and the treaty.

Exxon is still litigating what happened with the Valdez and Captain Hazelwood.

By: Capricious Commuter

Capricious Commuter — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:15:02 +0000

While I share your cynicism generally, the line from industry has some logic to it: The barge-towing people say that the massive liability they face if something goes wrong is a powerful incentive to make sure everyone’s competent and alert. If you’re Exxon, you can probably afford to pay a few billion and move on, however. The barge and trucking companies aren’t generally that rich, however. As for the regulatory big stick, I can’t see much to stop people from abusing work rules. The inspections are rare and the fines are laughable for any company that employs more than 500 people.

By: DensityDuck

DensityDuck — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:32:05 +0000

The problem, though, is that the assumption is that firms will calculate the number of man-hours they need, divide that by the number of hours one man can legally work, and hire that many people.

Instead, they hire two guys and work them to death. When caught, they toss up their hands and say “shucks, I guess you got us” and pay the fine. Then they go right back to slave-driving those two guys.

It’s like illegal immigration. Nobody in the government wants to go after the source, because it would mean they’d have to do actual work–and take responsibility for the results. On the other hand, if they don’t do anything, then even if everything goes to hell it isn’t THEIR fault.