ELDs have been mandatory for several years, and throughout their years of usage, they have provided several benefits for trucking companies and drivers. Damage in trucking can occur in various ways. However, ELDs have also aided in this issue since they help drivers adhere to hours-of-service (HOS) regulations and discourage drowsy driving. Here are some of the many benefits of ELDs for trucking companies and truck drivers.
Improved Compliance and Reduced Liability
ELDs help trucking companies track driver HOS data and ensure HOS compliance. Because of this, violations have decreased, resulting in fewer fines and associated penalties, which negatively impact trucking companies’ safety ratings.
Now, trucking companies can minimize their liability and have a new way of demonstrating their commitment to the safety of their drivers and other road users.
Accurate and Reliable Records
Since these devices gather accurate data related to driver activities and behavior, they have directly reduced the occurrence of errors or falsification attempts, which were prevalent in paper logbooks. Records are far more reliable now and more easily accessible to regulatory bodies.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
ELDs automatically record time and duty status changes, calculate the available driving hours left, and generate reports. These improve operational efficiency and reduce administrative burdens ultimately freeing up time for drivers and staff.
Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts
When ELDs became mandatory in 2019, trucking companies gained the advantage of monitoring their drivers’ HOS in real time. These devices don’t just collect data in real-time, they are also alerts that let drivers and fleet managers know if HOS limits are almost reached or exceeded. This information can then be used to improve driver schedules, prevent safety violations, and allocate available driving hours more efficiently.
Data Analysis and Insights
Driver HOS, operational patterns, and vehicle utilization are some of the data generated and gathered continuously by ELDs. Trucking companies can leverage all of this data to optimize routes or make other business decisions more effectively. This data can help reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and improve fleet management.
Benefits for Drivers
ELDs are beneficial not only for trucking companies but truck drivers as well. Before they became standard, drivers would have to devote some of their time to administrative burdens to manage their HOS and record it on paper. Now, drivers can focus more on delivering goods more efficiently.
These devices are easy to use, ensure accuracy, and have helped many drivers become more HOS-compliant with their real-time notifications and alarms. As drivers become more HOS-compliant, safety is ensured since fatigue-related incidents and HOS violations are reduced.
Drivers also gain protection against coercion or harassment since ELDs aren’t only tamper-resistant but also deter entities from forcing drivers to violate HOS regulations. The data gathered by ELDs can be used as evidence to prove instances of coercion and exploitation.
Lastly, ELDs help with easier inspection processes for drivers since enforcement officers can quickly review the necessary information with ease, ultimately minimizing operational disruptions.