ATA responds to defeat of recent ELD implementation delay
Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected an effort to delay the December 18 implementation date for electronic logging devices (ELD). The American Trucking Associations launched grassroots efforts, including drafting a letter to FMCSA in support of the regulation, to defeat the proposed delay.
At the state level, the Alabama Trucking Association, following the lead of its national organization, the American Trucking Association, has actively defended and promoted ELD technology as an important safety measure, aggressively pushing for its implementation while holding several seminars for members over the last year. ATA officials have also met with state law agencies to learn how and when the mandate will be enforced.
“Our Association firmly supports the current ELD mandate, including the December 2017 deadline.” said ATA Director of Safety & Member Services Tim Frazier. “I encourage all members who haven’t yet added the technology to move quickly to find an FMCSA-approved system that best fits their needs.”
Likewise, industry and federal and state regulatory officials are on record in full support ELDs — FMCSA officials even answered National ATA’s recent letter with even more support for implementing the rule as planned in December.
“(National) ATA has supported, and will support, this important regulation,” said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear. “Congress has now voted a fourth time to move forward with electronic logging of the existing hours of service information required for decades. Make no mistake, the time for debate about electronic logging is over, and we’re pleased that Congress has rejected this ill-conceived effort to delay their implementation.”
Delaying the implementation date is just prolonging the inevitable, according to Frazier. “The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, our courts, law enforcement are all on record in support of the benefits of electronic logging devices,” he said. “It’s to time to rip the Band-Aid off, so to speak, and prepare for full compliance.”
National ATA officials added that last night’s unsuccessful challenge to further delay the ELD mandate was met by a united front. “Tonight’s vote is a testament, not just to the broad and common sense support for ELDs, but to ATA’s members, allies and staff who pressed Congress to preserve this important safety rule,” said Executive Vice President of Advocacy Bill Sullivan. “This vote is important. Complying with existing laws will make all who share the roads safer, and ATA will continue to work with FMCSA, carriers, drivers, and law enforcement to ensure smooth implementation of this bipartisan effort on schedule in December. We commend the leadership of Representative Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) and bipartisan champions in the House who support compliance with existing laws and rules.”
Meanwhile, the Alabama Trucking Association’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council will hold another ELD seminar (its last before the December 18 deadline) in Montgomery, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. for fleet managers and owners. For more information, click here.
