ELD Mandate Rollout a Rough Ride for Drivers

What was originally intended to improve highway safety and compliance with federal transport regulations has turned into a massive headache for owner-operators thanks to what they believe to be a poorly implemented rollout of the ELD mandate. Months of complaints has resulted in the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) sending a letter to congress calling for intervention.

OOIDA, which is the country’s sole association exclusively representing professional and small-business truckers, stated in their letter to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that the ELD mandate had severe faults and has become a major hardship for constituents since the rollout.

President and CEO, Todd Spencer stated, “An oversight hearing, which has already been requested by federal legislators, would help lawmakers better understand what administrative or legislative remedies might be needed.”

OOIDA argues that the consequences of the ELD mandate were not well understood and complaints have been supported by a series of temporary waivers, exemptions, and “soft enforcement” deadlines, contributing to confusion and chaos throughout the U.S.

Since the ELD rollout in December 2017, OOIDA reports that drivers have reported major issues involving the ELD devices, including multiple vendor-wide systems malfunctions, false GPS tracking, erroneous duty status reporting, engine impairments, speed inconsistencies, and poor customer support from manufacturers.

Rather than attempt to address the issues or inform drivers that the devices may not function as intended, OOIDA writes that the FMCSA is depending on vendors to resolve the problems with their devices.

Spence said, “All of this points to our conclusion that Congress should really avoid enacting one-size-fits-all mandates such as this on industries as diverse as trucking.”

Source:
ajot.com