In November 2017, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association asked for a five-year exemption to electronic logging rules for small transportation trucking companies. While this may provide relief for some Missouri truckers, it could essentially gut the rule entirely. That was the opinion expressed in a Feb. 1 press release written by the Alliance for Driver Safety and Security and the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
Collectively known as the Trucking Alliance and Advocates, they also say in their statement that current log books are easy to falsify or manipulate. Furthermore, these groups take the position that rules related to electronic logging devices have been settled by the implementation of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The law was upheld on appeal, and these groups claim that this and other requests for exemptions are made based on false or debunked claims.
The request from the OOIDA claims that the exemption would provide time to vet ELD manufacturers. Currently, ELD vendors are allowed to certify themselves. The Trucking Alliance and Advocates believe that it would be easier to reduce truck crash rates by having uniform rules for all trucks. It may also help to increase public confidence in truck companies by having uniform standards.
Drivers are generally responsible for operating their vehicles in a safe manner whenever they are on the road. Those who are tired while operating a truck could be acting in a negligent manner. Therefore, if truck driver fatigue plays a role in causing a crash, victims may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and missed future earnings.