ALEXANDRIA, Va. The American Trucking Associations is backing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations proposed rule regarding the use of electronic on-board recording devices on commercial vehicles.

The proposed regulation outlines a sensible approach to the greater implementation of technology designed to improve safety and document driver compliance with work and rest rules, the ATA stated in a release.

FMCSAs long-awaited proposed rule contains three main components. It identifies the performance specifications for the new technology, outlines regulatory incentives to encourage the trucking industry to adopt EOBRs and establishes criteria that would trigger a requirement for certain motor carriers to equip their trucks with EOBRs if they were found to have serious and continuing problems complying with mandatory driver work and rest rules.

We are pleased that DOT has taken another solid step toward ensuring future gains in improved highway safety, said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. We support this incentive-based approach to the use of electronic on-board recorders. Technology can play a significant role in enhancing road safety and help to ensure the reliability of commercial vehicle operation.

In response to a new policy adopted by its membership, ATA has pushed for a pilot program that would determine the effectiveness of EOBRs in improving compliance and safety performance, while also addressing the industrys diverse nature. ATA also believes that incentives would assist motor carriers in adopting the technology.

Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.