On Dec. 18, when the electronic logging device mandate went into effect, The Alliance for Driver Safety & Security, also known as the Trucking Alliance, applauded the Trump Administration’s decision to maintain rule.

The group, a coalition of transportation companies working to reduce large truck accidents, injuries and fatalities, acknowledged that the Trump Administration could have delayed the requirement, pending a congressional appeal but ultimately chose not to. The Trucking Alliance praised the President for prioritizing public safety over other interests.

“Installing ELDs in commercial trucks will improve the lifestyle and pay scale of our nation’s commercial drivers and play an important role in reducing large truck crashes on our nation’s highways,” said Steve Williams, founder and president of The Trucking Alliance. “Congress mandated ELDs in 2012, as part of MAP-21, and the Trump Administration could have delayed the requirement, pending a congressional repeal, but we have President Trump and his administration to thank for supporting public safety above anything else.”

The coalition contends the rulet will improve road safety by reducing driver fatigue. Opponents of the ELD mandate may object to the intrusion on their daily activities, but Williams stated that operating commercial trucks on U.S. highways carries with it a moral and ethical responsibility to the public to operate as safely as possible.

“Operating an 80,000-pound commercial semi-truck on a public roadway is not some entitlement to do as you please, but a privilege, and that requires sharing the road with millions of motorists,” said Williams. “ELDs will hold everyone in our industry accountable and assure the public that commercial drivers respect our federal laws.” 

The group also expects ELDs to improve the working environment for truckers, forcing an improvement to supply chain efficiency from shippers, receivers, brokers, and others-- rather than forcing drivers to adjust their logbooks to make it all work.

“The nation’s supply chain shouldn’t place its inefficiencies on the backs of our nation’s truck drivers,” said Williams.  “We’ll finally have the information needed to improve the quality of the driving experience for commercial truck drivers.”