Change is inevitable. After 18th December 2017, if your trucks aren’t running ELDs (electronic logging devices), or grandfathered AOBRDs, your drivers in for a rude awakening, due to HoS violations, at their next roadside inspection.
The ELD mandate in the United States (and soon to be in Canada as well), is intended to “help create a safer work environment for drivers, and make it easier and faster to accurately track, manage and share record of duty status (RODS) data,” according to the FMCSA.
With less than half a year to go before the rule takes effect, now’s the time to start making a plan for your own fleet’s ELD transition.
There are many benefits to the new rule, but perhaps the most desirable are the revenue-boosting opportunities tied to reducing HOS violations.
HOS violations can result in fines, out-of-service orders and regulatory scores on company and driver profiles, all which translate to having the carriers pay up for the infractions.
Read below for tips on reducing HOS violations with ELDs, so you can start feeling the positive effect of the change right away.
Weigh your options
Saving money with ELDs means taking the time to compare the best solutions for your needs. As a starting point, consider fleet management software models, which typically offer a more robust solution at a lower cost than stand-alone ELDs.
If you are running a fleet management software now, speak with your provider to learn more about what they might have available for you in transition to ELD.
Explore other solutions by engaging free trials and comparing the subscription and associated costs. You should have plenty of opportunity from your prospective suppliers to ask questions and learn more about their offerings.
Prepare your drivers
Be transparent about the benefits of ELDs for your truck drivers so that they feel comfortable and confident in adopting the new technology.
Provide information about the HOS violations ELDs will automatically eradicate, including Form & Manner violations and Outdated Logs, two of the most common violations indicated in roadside inspections.
Describe the benefits to their own productivity on the road with ELDs; as noted by the Canadian Trucking Alliance, “drivers operating in an ELD environment realize a net gain in available driving/on-duty time of 30 to 120 minutes per 7 day cycle,” which potentially translates to an extra 100 miles per week of driving, or approximately “$2,000 in annual earning potential.”
Monitor and analyze
When your ELDs are running in connection with a fleet management software, you have real-time data at your fingertips for improving driver compliance and route efficiency.
Track routes, hours and idling with fleet management software and generate reports to bring the evidence you need to the table for change within your organization. Employee reviews are more meaningful, and route productivity is greatly optimized when you have tracking data to draw from your drivers’ time on the road.
Know the HOS violations
Limits and consecutive hours, rest breaks and sleeper berth provisions are all detailed considerations in the FMCSA Hours of Services rules. With so much to remember, it’s worth spending time getting to know the basics so that you can quickly assess the results of your ELD reporting how your drivers are doing. The more efficiently you can detect issues and resolve them, the better the chance you have of avoiding HOS violations related to time overages.
For a primer on the U.S.A. Hours of Services rules, check out the FMSCA website resource here.
Start saving on HOS violations right away. Demo an ELD solution with FQ Wireless here!
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