The problems started about half way through my run. After picking up a trailer, I had to swing by the office to give them a new copy of one of my logs—apparently, someone had lost it. That went okay, but then I stood and talked a few minutes. And while I talked, I laid the logbook down. And yes, thanks to my absent-mindedness, when I left, I forgot it. I noticed after going a few miles but didn’t really want to turn around and go back; it would have taken about forty-five minutes, eating up most of the hour I was ahead. So, I decided I’d drive without one. There is a fine if caught with no logbook but even worse would be the cops, or DOT, could make me sit for ten hours—to make sure I had my time off and wasn’t driving tired. But odds are, I figured, no one would know. It’s not like they routinely ask for my logbook. In fact, it is actually very rare, especially at the time I was driving; few cops are on the road and the scales are usually closed late at night. So, unless I was speeding or involved in an accident, I thought it shouldn’t be a problem.
I made it down the road 150 miles to another terminal, grabbed a logbook but all I filled out was for the current day. I’m supposed to have a copy of the last eight days, but I was still in a hurry; had to get home early! So, I picked up my next trailer and then started back. I’d just pulled on the freeway—hadn’t even gotten up to speed—when I saw the lights up ahead. Lots of lights. The red and blue flashing variety. Then I saw the line of trucks.
My first thought was that they were doing impromptu inspections. But I didn’t panic. I knew, using the part of my memory that does work, I could re-create my logs while I waited my turn in line. But then, I noticed there were cars stopped too. Oregon doesn’t have traffic checks for cars so it was a pretty safe bet something else was going on. That’s when I turned on the CB and learned there had been a multiple vehicle wreck; it was blocking the whole road. So much for being ahead of schedule!
I ended up waiting almost an hour before they cleared one lane and let us through, which put me right back on my normal time. Sitting there that long, you’d think I would have filled out the last eight days’ log, huh? But I guess I like taking chances, because I didn’t fill out any logs. What did I do instead? I wrote this blog post!
And just in case anyone is wondering, I did make it all the way home without needing the logs! ~
Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords. Amazon Profile - www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.