They aren’t really meaningless. Though the trucker might not sleep, mostly that is exactly what they do. The rule prevents them from being required by company policy, or by competitors, to work dangerously long shifts.
Everyone is in the same boat.
The fact that one person defeated the rule, doesn’t make it a useless rule. Not even close.
Falling asleep behind the wheel kills more on the open highway than dwi ever has. Especially out west.
My point stands. Either they are professionals, or they are not. A better system would be to offer incentives for safe performance. No tickets for three years? Toss your log book unless you violate a rule. The desire to attain status and privileges creates professional attitudes.