FMCSA opens comment on ELD exemption request
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is accepting public comment on a request that would allow truckers to enter their records of duty status manually instead of using an electronic logging device.
The exemption request is from the Federation of Professional Truckers. The recently formed non-profit group said that paper logs are enforceable and understood by law enforcement. They also said small carriers face disproportionate burdens from the ELD mandate.
The exemption, if approved, would apply to any professional driver choosing to participate. Comments are being accepted until March 11.
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I am writing to share my concerns regarding the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in the trucking industry. It is my professional opinion that the transition to ELDs has created undue pressure on drivers, effectively acting as a “time bomb” that contributes to an increase in accidents.
While the FMCSA creates laws to regulate driver hours, there seems to be a significant disconnect between these regulations and the actual challenges drivers face on the road. Many of the officials making these decisions have never driven a truck and may not fully understand the practical implications of the laws they implement.
Paper logs offered a level of flexibility that is missing from the current system. I strongly suggest that the FMCSA reconsider the ELD mandate and allow for a return to paper logs to better support driver safety and well-being.
Thank you for your time and for considering this perspective from the field.
100% mandate was the error. Companies and owners of fleets under 25-50 trucks didn’t have the capital to invest in the ELD. Any change has to apply to all, not just one segment. Also wouldn’t mind seeing the 30min and 15min pre/post requirement go away. The clock should have been 16/12 not 14/11. and 24 vs 34.
ELD are costly and have a lot of connectivity issues.
Safety experts say that ELD are more reliable in a compliance sense but I beg to differ especially in the case of these foreign owned companies who have been known to alter ELD’s. Which puts the company in non compliance and puts the driver at risk. Many of us have been running for years on paper logs with no issue and have enough sense when at what time off day to run. All ELD’s have done is contributed to traffic congestion and increased the risk of accidents because drivers are under the gun to make there next rest stop.
Studies have shown that they have in know way shape or form made it safer on the roads but have increased risk of accidents…
ELD is totally crap system . ELD never understand human behaviour sometimes drivers feel not good or sick or want to sleep after few hours of driving. If we want stop drive we can’t because of ELD it’s totally scarp . Paper book easy to understand and it’s helpful to drivers