Dive Brief:

• In a survey of 400 carriers, the results of implementation of Electronic logging devices (ELD’s) revealed that larger carriers are getting full implementation while smaller fleets are slower to install the units.
• A reported 84% of the larger carriers that installed the ELDs found a reduction of federal driver hours-of-service (HOS). Of the smaller fleets, 56% of the smaller fleets said they had reduction of federal driver hours. Small and large fleets say logging violations decreased.
• Some drivers have left the industry to avoid operating under ELD rules.

Dive insight:

The biggest impact will be felt by smaller carriers, which failing a win from a suit filed by the Owner-Operators Independent Drivers Association, will have to incur the costs of installing the devices. 

Demanding truckers change their ways is not an easy task, hence the departure of some drivers. The industry will be tasked with finding replacement drivers willing to operate under ELD rules. This challenge comes at a time when industries are facing a driver shortage. That window is closing, as the devices must be installed by next year.