Economy
February 23, 2018
Trucking’s Feeling the Pain of New Regulations
Written by Tim Triplett
New rules requiring electronic logging devices (ELDs) to monitor drivers’ hours behind the wheel are having the predicted effect on the market, disrupting trucking operations, igniting fierce competition for trucking capacity and sharply raising freight rates.
Under the complicated hours of service regulations that took effect Dec. 18, drivers can work no more than a 14-hour day and can only be behind the wheel 11 of those 14. Then they must take at least a 10-hour break. Any delays at ports, docks or loading stations count against their 14-hour time limit. No longer can drivers fudge hand-written logs to game the system and add to their time on the road.
