Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/625735
42 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JANUARY 2016 COVER STORY: ELECTRONIC LOGS safe should not be opposed to a device that proves that it is," said Lane Kidd, managing director of the Trucking Alli- ance at the CCJ Fall Symposium in No- vember before the rule was published. "These devices are simply a way to prove compliance with the law. A truck today is one of the most technically complex machines on the planet. Technology like this makes us all more effi cient," adding that it is currently too easy for drivers and fl eets to skirt the rules with paper logs. "We wouldn't put up with that in the airline industry, and we shouldn't put up with it in trucking, either." Other groups wasted no time in voicing their opposition. A day after the agency announced the rule, OOIDA fi led a petition with the federal 7th Cir- cuit Court of Appeals Dec. 11 asking it to review the rule and its necessity. Jim Johnston, OOIDA president and CEO, said the group intends to "fi ght [the mandate] with everything we have avail- able. … This regulation is absolutely the most outrageous intrusion into the rights of professional truckers imaginable and will do nothing at all to improve highway safety. In fact, we fi rmly believe it will do exactly the opposite by placing even more pressure and stress on drivers than they already deal with." One source of stress is harassment related to ELDs. In the new ELD rule, however, the agency fl eshed out mea- sures aimed at curtailing that problem. FMCSA also published a driver coer- cion rule late last month that institutes stiff penalties against carriers, shippers and brokers who coerce drivers to violate federal safety regulations. (See page 10). The Truck Rental and Leasing As- sociation also expressed disappointment in the fi nal rule's lack of an exemption for rental fl eets, for which only a small percentage of customers fall under HOS regulations. "While TRALA understands the desire to make trucking as safe and transparent as possible, there are still questions that remain regarding the technology needed and the availability of that technology to satisfy our concerns given the unique nature of renting," said Jake Jacoby, TRALA president and CEO. "TRALA will continue to work closely with its members, FMCSA and the telematics companies … to ensure rental trucks are not put at a disadvantage compared to other vehicles." YOU CAN SHAPE IT Better detect and address distracted and drowsy driving with a real-time, comprehensive approach to improving driver performance. Introducing Lytx DriveCam TM with ActiveVision SM Service FOLLOWING DISTANCE LANE KEEPING NEARBY VEHICLES © 2015 Lytx, Inc. All rights reserved. Lytx® technology is a driver aid only; and is not a substitute for a safe, conscientious driver. It cannot compensate for a driver who is distracted, inattentive, or impaired by fatigue, drugs, or alcohol. It is always the responsibility of the driver to take appropriate corrective action. Never wait for the Lytx technology to provide a warning before taking measures to avoid an accident. Failure to do so can result in serious personal injury or death, or severe property damage. Lytx.com/ActiveVision BECAUSE WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE FUTURE ELDs on the market For a full list of current ELDs, along with basics on their functionality and specs, visit OverdriveOnline.com/elogs.