\t\t\t\tIf you haven\u2019t heard, the FMCSA just published their final rule in regard to ELDs (sometimes called EOBRs or AOBRD) and compliance for the hours of service regulations.<\/p>\n
Carriers and drivers who are subject to the rule must install and use ELDs by the appropriate deadline:<\/p>\n
Industry-wide ELDs are one of the safest things that could happen to protect drivers in the industry.\u00a0 ELDs provide critical driver information about how many hours they\u2019ve worked and how many hours they have left to do the work. \u00a0\u00a0A carrier\u2019s operations department also has access to all the information they need to dispatch the right driver at the right time. \u00a0In a matter of seconds a carrier\u2019s operations department has information on the location of the drivers and also how many hours are available for the driver to give the best service. \u00a0The driver has no pressure from operations and as a result is under\u00a0less stress which equals a better quality life.\u00a0\u00a0 The trucking company can also use this data to perform delivery and reaction time analysis. \u00a0It is much easier for everyone and helps planners be more accurate.<\/p>\n
It is defined as an electronic logging device an ELD synchronizes with a vehicle engine to automatically record driving time, for easier, more accurate hours of service (HOS) recording.<\/p>\n
The new rule:<\/u><\/p>\n AOBRD<\/strong> = Automatic On-Board Recording Device has been defined since the 1980\u2019s as: \u201can electric, electronic, electromechanical, or mechanical device capable of recording driver’s duty status information accurately and automatically as required by \u00a7395.15.<\/p>\n EOBR<\/strong> = Electronic on-board Recorder<\/p>\n Both terms are used essentially to describe an ELD.\u00a0 However, they are older terms used in previous legislation.\u00a0 The most current term is \u201cELD\u201d.\u00a0 Any references to \u201cE-logs\u201d or \u201cELogs\u201d are generic references to AOBRDs and ELDs.<\/p>\n Inherent in any paper tracking system is the ability to game the system.\u00a0 Not all drivers in the industry are 100% compliant with their log books, as evidenced by the many citations issued for HOS non-compliance.\u00a0 Some can be chalked up to driver error, but many can also be attributed to drivers pushing the envelope on how they record their time in order to drive more hours.\u00a0 This creates an un-level playing field for companies and drivers that are compliant within the HOS regulations.\u00a0 ELDs should make it more difficult, if not impossible for drivers to game the system.\u00a0 As an industry, we should see greater compliance and hopefully a reduction in crashes due to the greater compliance.<\/p>\n Another impact could be a greater tightening of capacity.\u00a0 If the industry, presumably, is now removing a whole bunch of illegal non-compliant driving hours from the system; which is a good thing!\u00a0\u00a0 However, it\u2019s going to exacerbate an already existing driver shortage issue because now those illegal driving hours have to be replaced with legal ones.\u00a0 It could drive up driver pay and transportation rates.<\/p>\n On a more positive note, the mandate is estimated to prevent more than 500 injuries per year, save approximately 26 lives annually and reduce administrative expenses. The net regulatory financial savings of ELD implementation is estimated at more than $1 billion industry wide.<\/p>\n At XTL, all our trucks are equipped with the system already. We have 400 trucks across Canada.<\/p>\n Our owner operator drivers are not on ELDs yet. They already have the system in the truck; however, it is not active yet. It\u2019s just a matter of time before ALL our fleet is on an ELD.<\/p>\n ELDs are mandatory for all the drivers that join our team under XTL\u2019s new policy with the exception of owner operators, who have until\u00a0December 2017 when it will be mandatory. At XTL, we have 72 owner operators.\u00a0 Safety and great service are always our priority.\u00a0 We are here to help with all your transportation needs.\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you haven\u2019t heard, the FMCSA just published their final rule in regard to ELDs (sometimes called EOBRs or AOBRD) and compliance for the hours of service regulations. Carriers and drivers who are subject to the rule must install and use ELDs by the appropriate deadline: Carriers and drivers who are using paper logs or logging software must transition to ELDs no later than December 18, 2017. Carriers and drivers who use AOBRDS prior to the compliance date must transition … <\/p>\n\n
What is an AOBRD or EOBR?<\/h3>\n
What are some of the benefits of an ELD?<\/h3>\n
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What are some of the larger impacts to the industry?<\/h3>\n
What we\u2019re doing at XTL<\/h3>\n