The congressionally mandated ELD’s are intended to help create a safer work environment for drivers, and make it easier and faster to accurately track, manage, and share records of duty status (RODS) data. An ELD synchronizes with a vehicle engine to automatically record driving time, for easier, more accurate hours of service (HOS) recording.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety ‘s (FMCSA) hours of service (HOS) rules are designed to eliminate the type of drowsiness that can lead to crashes. Although many commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers feel that they know when they are getting drowsy, various laboratory tests have shown that persons are not good at estimating their own drowsiness.
We anticipate a shortage of truckers and higher prices as trucking companies scramble to comply with limited hours on the road, which include waiting time for loading. We will see a rise in the need for drop/pick service or lay-overs. We will also see free time allowed to load will be reduced from two hours to one.
It is becoming increasingly more important to streamline the loading process so that drivers can stay safe and trucking companies can retain and recruit new talent.
Our truckers are working with us to find solutions to these challenges. One option is to recover empty containers locally to avoid the need for round-trip long haul. Everyone needs to pitch in to make the move successful and to avoid fines. Most importantly we need to make sure drivers on the road are safe for all motorists!
