Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/771645
BY JEREMY FEUCHT REGULATORY AFFAIRS ANALYST, TRUCKSTOP.COM O nce every four years, the idea of a new beginning rings true. Within the trucking industry this means the hope of new federal and state leadership relaxing the relentless attack on the industry. It also means the laws and regulations that were passed in the previous year will make their mark on the industry. 2017 will mark the coming of the ELD, new EPA regulations for trailers and requirements for engines, transmissions and, potentially, tires will begin to shape manufacturers future decision making and business models. Veterans are receiving more opportunities within the industry; receiving decreased training costs and potentially easier requirements to receive their CDL. 2017 will answer questions about the industry but which ones? e general election guaranteed only one thing: We have a new president and a several new members to Congress. is does not ring true just on the federal level. No, we have new governors and new legislative members at the state level across the country as well. New people to direct the EPA, FMCSA, DOT, Homeland Security, NHTSA and countless other entities that hold the governing interest of the trucking industry in the palm of their hands. How many things will change in 2017? We already know that the ELD mandate will take full effect at the end of the year. Will the speed limiter come? How much will the sleep apnea rule cost the industry and is it really as prevalent as doctors want us to believe? Will the government intervene and stop this rule? Does the EPA continue to receive a blank check to make rules that cost the industry billions of dollars? Will the 34 hour restart finally get some attention and will hours of service get a remake? All this and more will be answered over the next 12 months by the newly elected leadership across the nation. Electronic logging devices are not new. Implemented for the first time in 1988 for chronic hours of service violators, ELDs have been a sought aer goal by Congress and the DOT since 1994. ese devices will very quickly begin to make their mark on the industry in 2017 DOES A NEW YEAR MEAN A NEW BEGINNING? ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICES ARE NOT NEW. IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 1988 FOR CHRONIC HOURS OF SERVICE VIOLATORS, ELDS HAVE BEEN A SOUGHT AFTER GOAL BY CONGRESS AND THE DOT SINCE 1994." " 14 IT MAGA ZINE V o l . 1 1 , N o . 1