OOIDA takes action against new digital logging law

Having electronic log books instead of written records is changing the way some truckers perform their jobs. Last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) passed a law stating that any commercial trucker who had rates higher than 10 percent of noncompliance had to use electronic tracking devices to monitor their time and speeds on the road.

Recently, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) appealed this new rule with a lawsuit, stating that it opens avenues of unnecessary harassment and strict supervision. The OOIDA claims fleet management owners can use this technology to wake up resting drivers or push them into dangerous hauling situations that may put trucker health at risk.

Todd Spencer, executive vice president of OOIDA, says truck driving safety may be compromised if these mandated digital logging products are not removed.

He added, "[The law] is an overly burdensome regulation that simply runs up costs for the majority of trucking, which is small-business."

The lawsuit was favored by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and further log regulations mandated by the FMCSA may not cause truckers additional harassment.

OOIDA takes action against new digital logging law

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011