Leadsled has identified the main issue with the regs, the complexity its self leads to unintentional breaking of the rules.
Reading the reg that Tail Wheel posted is a prime example. Para 2 appears to say that any task concerned with the flight is encompassed by the 8 hour rule, which to me includes preflight, may even include opening the office.
Of course my interpretation carries no more weight than others.
Is an offence of strict liability necessarily a criminal offence?