The American Trucking Associations recently called on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to require that electronic logging devices be used to record drivers’ hours of service.
In the ATA’s comments, which were filed with the FMCSA last month, the group argued that the devices were necessary to protect the safety of the nation’s highway system.
“ATA supports laws and regulations mandating the installation and use of electronic logging devices for recording drivers’ hours of service,” the group announced in a news release. “To this end, ATA advocated for the MAP-21 provision mandating a rule-making to require ELDs. ATA is confident that such devices will improve compliance with the hours-of-service regulations and ultimately safety.”
ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said the federal agency needs to act quickly to require devices be used everywhere.
“For ATA’s members, safety is the highest priority,” Graves said. “And as such, we stand behind the agency as it advances a common sense solution to improving the safety of our nation’s highways.”
The ATA also called on the FMCSA to provide incentives to encourage adoption of the technology in advance of the mandate.
“We know these devices can improve safety, so it makes sense for the FMCSA to do all they can to encourage adoption of electronic logging devices,” said Graves.