Electronic Logs Expected to Promote Safe Driving Habits for Truck Drivers

Electronic on-board recorders are already being installed by some trucking companies, who foresaw the benefits of the electronic logs.

2012-11-08

November 08, 2012 (Press-News.org) Advances in technology affect more than the manner in which we communicate and keep in touch with our friends and relatives. Certain technological advancements can have wide-ranging impacts on different types of businesses worldwide. One clear example of such mainstream effectiveness is the development of mobile internet and global positioning system (GPS) technologies. As these systems become faster and more widespread, their use by the trucking industry, in particular, has become a necessity.

Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, and they have always been required to maintain a logbook documenting the number of hours they spent on the road each day. Law enforcement officials have continuously been on the lookout to spot drivers and companies who did not provide truthful data in their logbooks.

State and federal regulations specify how long a driver may be on the road before he or she is required to pull over and take a break. Unfortunately, the trucking industry has been plagued by drivers trying to earn more money by continuing to drive longer hours than allowed and by companies encouraging such behavior to increase profits. Such behavior is extremely dangerous, however, as numerous studies have shown tired drivers are much more likely to cause truck accidents.

Now, a new technology called electronic on-board recorders, or "EOBRs," are ensuring drivers and their employers adhere to state and federal laws while on the road.

What Are EOBRs and How Will They Help?

While many trucking companies have implemented the use of electronic logs of some sort, not all automated logs constitute an EOBR, as defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. According to the FMCSA, a device qualifies as an EOBR if it is connected to the truck's central computer, allowing it to automatically record readings from the odometer and other relevant information. EOBRs are also required by the FMCSA to provide GPS tracking data, to show where the truck was driven on a given day.

The most obvious benefit of the log, then, is that manipulation and human error are removed from the equation. The number of hours and distance driven by a driver is automatically logged in the EOBR and transmitted to the trucking company. Although these benefits were expected, trucking companies have found some additional advantages that had not been anticipated.

For instance, as the data is now automatically transferred to the companies, they are able to determine which drivers still have time each day during which they are legally allowed to drive. Previously, companies would not have such information until they received the paper logbook after the driver's route was completed. Now, companies will know which driver they can legally keep on the road and shift more work to those drivers, and away from those who have reached their quota.

As drivers are prevented from driving hours in excess of state and federal regulations, they are more likely to be alert during their driving time. In turn, the likelihood of a truck driver causing a serious motor vehicle accident decreases.

Congress Approves Federal Mandate for EOBRs

In July 2012, Congress approved and President Obama signed the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act," referred to as MAP-21. The law endorses the mandate for EOBRs in commercial vehicles, championed by the FMCSA. While the final rule has yet to be released, wise trucking companies are beginning to install EOBRs in their fleets in anticipation of the mandate. Currently, the FMCSA must release the final rule by October 1, 2013. Companies must implement and adhere to the rule by October 1, 2015.

Until then, some truck drivers will continue to drive without automatic, electronic logs. Individuals injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a truck driver should be aware of their rights. Consulting with an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney will ensure just compensation is received in the event of a truck accident caused by a driver who has exceeded the permitted drive time.

Article provided by Henness & Haight, Injury Attorneys
Visit us at www.hennessandhaight.com/

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Electronic Logs Expected to Promote Safe Driving Habits for Truck Drivers

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