Knight-Swift Transportation says it has become the largest truckload company to meet the December 2017 federal electronic logging device (ELD) deadline.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the final ELD rule in December 2015 requiring all drivers with a commercial driver license (CDL) to keep a Record of Duty Status (RODS) using an ELD to document compliance with hour of service (HOS) before January 2018.
A strong proponent of the federal mandate, Knight-Swift has been using electronic logging solutions that automatically record driving data for several years. The mandate was met early as its current fleet met automatic onboard recording device (AOBRD) compliance and therefore grandfathered under the ELD rule until December 2019.
According to FMCSA, ELDs create transparency that reduces risk, cost, and improves overall fleet efficiency. Compliance requirements can be leveraged to improve vehicle inspections, fuel tax reporting, as well as improving vehicle maintenance. Furthermore, ELDs create an environment that improve work conditions for drivers. ELDs data helps prevent abuses of RODS that lead to fatigued driving, says the agency.
Kevin Knight, Knight-Swift executive chairman, said, “ELDs have been an important part of the last eight years at Knight Transportation. We’ve seen a huge shift in performance and achieved great success in helping driving associates make the transition from paper to digital logs. We are excited to provide an opportunity to other professional drivers that have yet to work with this technology.”
In addition to reducing compliance cost of safety-conscious carriers through automating log collection and auditing, FMCSA data suggests drivers can add five to 10 hours a week of drive time or home time. One of the ELDs key features is a countdown timer with audible alerts ensuring drivers are never surprised to discover they’re running low on hours.
For more information about the ELD rule, click here.
Knight-Swift, through its Knight Transportation, Swift Transportation, Kold Trans and Barr-Nunn branded subsidiaries, operates a leading North American truckload fleet as well as rail intermodal and non-asset-based freight brokerage and logistics management services. The company’s suite of services includes irregular route, dedicated, expedited, port drayage, and cross-border US/Mexico/Canada transport utilizing refrigerated, dry van, flatbed and specialized trailers, and intermodal containers.
