Electronic logging devices (ELDs) is a piece of hardware that is installed in a truck and records the truck driver’s driving time, along with other data. These devices are supposed to help ensure compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In theory, the automation of hour logging for truck drivers should reduce the risk of driver fatigue and better ensure accurate record keeping. This is because when used as intended, ELDs help drivers adhere to legal limits on driving hours, thereby reducing the risk of accidents caused by fatigue. The devices also should provide precise tracking of driving hours, helping in the enforcement of HOS regulations.
As noted above, the feds intend for use of ELDs to reduce the occurrence of HOS violations and to ultimately promote safer driving behaviors among truck drivers. Although the intention is noble, the reality has not always played out.
What is the issue with ELDs?
The first step is making sure the devices do what they are supposed to do. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The FMCSA continues to remove ELD devices from its list of approved options, stating the devices do not meet minimum legal requirements.
What does this mean for the safety of our roadways?
Faulty or misused ELDs can result in inaccurate accounts of a driver’s hours behind the wheel. This could provide a false sense of security. Instead of reducing the hours truckers spend on the road, it could mask long hours and exhaustion.
What should I do if injured in a trucking accident?
The role of ELDs and the hours the driver was operating before the crash are just a few factors to consider when navigating a truck accident claim. It is also important to review the truck’s maintenance and the company’s guidelines. It is not uncommon for multiple parties to bear some level of responsibility for these often catastrophic accidents.