Many owner-operators are against electronic on-board recorders

In an effort to reduce the amount of accidents that result from driver fatigue, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently proposed a rule that would require truck driver fleets to install electronic on-board recorders.

However, many owner-operators are unhappy because they must pay a premium price for the devices rather than receiving a discount that those who drive company-owned vehicles would obtain, Fleet Owner reports.

"We are not surprised. The trucking industry has known something like this was coming for awhile," David Heller, director of safety and policy for Truckload Carriers Association, told the news provider. "The one issue we would like to see is simultaneous applicability, we would like it to apply to everyone."

Many trucking companies say that these black boxes help promote safety and accountability. This safety measure seeks to place all carriers on a level playing field. Safety directors can enroll their employees in online truck driver regulation training to help promote trucking safety, such as classes on the installation and use of electronic on-board recorders.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, more than 2 million roadside vehicle inspections took place in 2006. Furthermore, almost 24 percent of trucks were registered out of service from violations by inspectors.

Many owner-operators are against electronic on-board recorders

Monday, February 14th, 2011