Squashing the Rumors—ELDs Are Still Required by December 18th

The ELD Extension Act of 2017, H.R. 3282, was introduced in July by House Representative Brian Babin (R-TX) to delay implementation of the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Rule for two years. This rule, which would prevent funds from being applied “to implement or enforce” the ELD Rule scheduled to go into effect December 18^th of this year. He also attached an anti-ELD amendment to his resolution.

The American Trucking Association (ATA), the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), and the majority of trucking stakeholder groups remain solidly in favor or following through with an implementation of the ELD rule without delay.

On September 7^th, the House of Representatives voted to reject this last-ditch attempt to delay the implementation date for ELDs. This decision puts to rest any confusion about whether fleet owners and owner-operators have a cushion of extra time to meet ELD requirements.

Why is the ELD Rule so important, and why are the leading trucking associations supporting timely implementation? The ATA, in September 6^th letter to Congress stated, “These ELDs accurately track the number of hours that drivers operate their trucks, replacing the paper logbooks that are easily falsified.” Chris Spears, President and CEO of the ATA, added that further delays “create more uncertainty for the trucking industry as we seek to plan to make investments in this important new technology.*

What’s in it for you, as fleet owners and owner-operators? According to Joe DeLorenzo, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) director of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance, you’ll get 15 minutes back in productivity for each of your drivers, and you’ll have “more transparency into what drivers are doing.” He added, “It’s an important rule that is going to bring a big increase in safety.”*

Do you need to comply with the ELD Final Rule?

“If you are a driver who uses a logbook, you will need an ELD,” states DeLorenzo.

Going digital, with ELDs and telematics, gives fleet owners protection for their CSA scores and so much more:

• Increase profits by clocking in more miles on the road
  

  Your fleet remains in optimal operational condition because ELDs share the important vitals of each truck. Examine engine diagnostics, tire pressure, fault codes, and more to avoid taking trucks out of service for unscheduled services and repairs. Calculate engine hours and mileage data to schedule regular routine maintenance.

• Prevent HOS violations and avoid financial penalties
  

  The FMCSA states that the #1 contributor to fleet violations is HOS offenses (statistics gathered from both large and small fleets). Other astronomical penalties include fines for falsification of records. ELDs prompt drivers to stop before reaching their Hours-Of-Service limit.

• Prove on-the-road occurrences
  

  By collecting crash data, ELDs are capable of proving, without a shadow of a doubt, whether a driver is at fault in the event of an accident. Telematics also monitor driving habits and seatbelt usage to ensure that rules-of-the-road are followed.

• Receive accurate information to calculate driver pay
  

  Real-time info about every mile driven makes for faster payment processing, putting an end to time-consuming mileage report compilation. Telematics calculate hours of service with in-cab GPS capabilities.

• Simplify documentation
  

  With compliant ELD technology, owners can save as much as $708 per year in time that would be otherwise wasted on administration tasks, according to the FMCSA. You’ll save time filing to the IFTA (International Fuel Tax Association) because ELDs avoid the submission of erroneous information.

• Provide safer work conditions
  

  ELDs will keep you and regulators aware of fatigued drivers, prevent breaking HOS (hours of service) rules, and thus, prevent crashes. In Fact, drivers using ELDs have an average of 11.7% fewer crashes than trucks not equipped with ELD technology, according to a Virginia Tech study. The FMCSA estimates that ELDs put a stop to 562 injuries and 26 deaths annually.

No wonder trucking associations are against any delays to the implementation of the ELD Final Rule. Compliant ELDs and telematics prevent financial headaches and improve CSA scores. Visit our ELD CARB Rules page for information about compliance deadlines. Then check out our menu of affordable VDO RoadLog™ ELDs, equipped with the thermal printer that prints out logs just like traditional paper logs. Connect with your drivers with VDO RoadLog™ Fleet Management and Fleet Online Software.

Integrate your ELDs with GPS capabilities for superior communication using our telematics technology. Telematics assist with dispatch to drivers, calculate hours of service, receive automated fuel tax info, monitor seatbelt usage and driving habits, track vehicles to detect accidents, and more. We offer a full range of FMCSA-compliant telematics solutions.

Here at AECS, our FMCSA compliancy experts stay abreast of upcoming ELD Final Rule deadlines and offer approved technology to keep your entire fleet on the road. Increase profits and fortify your CSA score with our full line of ELD and telematics devices. For guidance on the perfect FMCSA solutions for your fleet, contact us at 559-472-7301 for your free consultation.

* Source of quotes: truckinginfo.com