The importance of Electronic Logging Devices for Drivers

The Electronic Logging Device is launched and is going to be made mandatory. It will help the carriers go through a smooth transition and handle the mandate effectively.
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What is ELD?
To put it in simple words, ELD (Electronic logging device) is basically an electronic solution that helps truck drivers as well as commercial motor carriers keep a track of hours of service easily.
It will certainly create a safer environment for the drivers to work thereby reducing the driver tiredness that diverts to heads to unsafe roads. ELDs will surely make the entire process of tracking, managing and exchanging RODS (records of duty data) accurately and faster. The device will synchronize with the engine of the vehicle and will automatically record the drive time, which will give accurate number of hours of service data.

Why Drivers are worried?
Driver worries about ELD mandate vary and it covers aspects like it will affect the pay and considering the expectations of the shipper and everything else that occurs in between.

Concerns about Personal safety 
Many drivers expressed their concern about their decisions on taking a much needed break to rest as ELD may interfere with their decisions to take rest. The device may put added pressure on the driver discouraging them to continue on their run. Another concern was about those who carry ammunitions or freight that is highly in demand. The launch of this electronic device will display the exact location of the driver/freight, which can be a concern for the driver about personal safety as well as cargo thefts. 

Expectations of the shippers
The drivers are asked to meet the high demands from various shippers and in order to do so, they extend their standard working hours on a weekly basis. Upon installing the ELD mandate, meeting the demands from shippers will be impossible and if the drivers do not meet these demands, they may either be asked to pay fines or will lead to violations. It would be a great idea if the driver could actually adjust the delivery time to meet the rules of HOS and thus be stress free and do not end up paying fines.

Cost
The implementation of ELD has left many operators/owners worried about losing their revenue. Once the revenue decrease, drivers will be under stress which can result in unsafe driving practice like speeding, passing or tailgating.


How the implementation of ELD is going to affect the transportation industry    
The deadline for ELD mandate is nearing faster and certainly the transportation industry is going to encounter some serious changes. Let us have a look at them

Consolidated capacity
According to the industry experts, shippers can experience 4-7% effect on capacity including increased trailing time.

Higher Rates
When the driver mileages reduced down there will be demand for pay hike per mile to cover up the increased cost, especially in case of smaller carriers.

Shortage of drivers
Many owners and operators may chose to shut down their business due to high implementation costs and other reasons.

You can still help your team to abide HOS rules for a smooth transition. You can check if your lane as well as delivery expectation meet the HOS rules and do not increase your expectation as it can lead to violations.

You can increase the loading and unloading time to increase the efficiencies and abide the rules.
Make the appointments little flexible and figure out where the changes are required.  
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Also there are many benefits that you can avail using ELD like

Fuel costs will decrease with proper management
By tracking the speeding or uncontrolled idle times for a truck, the fleet owners can arrange for incentive programs for their truck drivers which will help enhance the fuel efficiency.

Reduced number of crash rates
With the help of electronic logs installed in trucks the number of crash rates will be reduced significantly.

The ELD is a perfect device that allows the truck driver to log in and choose the option according to his driving patterns like On-duty, Off-duty etc. The record of duty status will be displayed graphically so that the driver can view the hours on a daily basis. The device may or may not convince the shippers or receivers due to their personal reasons, which are justified, but on the other hand there are benefits linked to the device too.

The fleet owners can also monitor the driving status and prompt them for speeding up or not following the rules. There are many aspects that are important looking at the safety of the driver and the number of working hours. To help ELD work for everyone we need to help ourselves get used to the device and the rules in our own way and finding a solution for each concern.

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