With the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) electronic logging device (ELD) mandate deadline approaching, the new rules have prompted many questions from professionals within the transportation industry, including from businesses wanting to know how the ELD rules will impact their shipments.

Professional truck drivers who operate in North America will be required to log their hours electronically using an electronic logging device (ELD) by the Dec. 18, 2017 deadline. The new rules require professional drivers to stop using paper logs and install a certified ELD in their trucks to record their duty status.

According to the FMCSA, the new rules are designed to eliminate drowsiness leading to an accident on the road. While drivers must already comply with the FMCSA’s Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations, the implementation of ELDs will monitor and record a driver’s duty status – and every action a driver takes behind the wheel.

Industry experts have expressed concern about a potential loss of productivity once the mandate is in place, if shippers do not adequately adjust their loading and unloading processes to take into account a driver’s HOS.

Shippers can make adjustments now to reduce any potential delays for drivers during pickup or delivery by taking the following steps:

• Educate your staff on the FMCSA’s Hours-of-Service
• Communicate with your transportation provider’s point-of-contact about any potential delays that could impact a driver’s HOS.
• Create safe and legal pickup and delivery areas to reduce delays during loading and unloading.
• Coordinate loading and unloading times & stagger appointments for a smoother, quicker operation.
• Be ready to load or unload a truck when it arrives for pickup or delivery.

Landstar customers can contact their Landstar agent directly to arrange a M.U.S.T. (Mutual Understanding of Safety Together) customer visit for assistance preparing your business’s shipping and receiving locations for the ELD mandate.