Electronic Logging Devices did not decrease commercial truck crashes according to new study
For over a year now (since December 18, 2017), the federal electronic logging device (ELD) rule has been in effect for the nation’s commercial trucking industry.
It is impossible to underestimate the impact of electronic logging for truck drivers: industry insiders have described the ELD rule’s passage as the biggest event for truckers since commercial driver’s licenses became a legal requirement. See, e.g., “US Trucking 2018 – A Pivotal Year,” written by Senior Editor William B. Cassidy and published by JOC.com on December 31, 2017.
This new regulation remains controversial. Many truckers hate the “ELD Rule,” as well as the trucking companies who fought hard against its passage. Even the Attorney General for the State of Indiana had concerns over the use of ELDs in trucks operating within the Hoosier State.
The ELD Rule for Truck Drivers
The ELD Rule is part of recent federal legislation focused on commercial truck and bus safety. Its purpose is to make driving safer for commercial truck drivers (and bus drivers) along with lowering the risk of fatal truck crashes involving motor vehicles driving alongside these semi-trucks and big rigs.
Essentially, the rule itself changes how truck drivers keep track of their hours of service (HOS). Truckers must comply with the federal HOS rules, which control how long a truck driver can drive before he must stop for a rest. These electronic logging devices replace the past use of paper drive time logs, where the truck driver entered his time manually.
Automatic Tracking of Drive Time
The ELD itself is not in the cab of the big rig or semi-truck. It is installed inside the truck’s engine, and there –under the hood – it keeps track of the truck’s driving time. It automatically records what are called “records of duty status,” which are then transferred to the appropriate authorities.
Making Roads Safer From Severe or Fatal Truck Crashes
Of course, the goal of the ELD Rule is preventing truck accidents caused by sleepy or fatigued truck drivers who have been on the road too long. Respected safety advocates across the country heralded the new HOS Rules, monitored by these automatic time log devices, as being vital to curtailing the number of truck crashes in this country.
In April 2016, a joint letter was sent to Congress by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association; and the Teamsters Union voicing their support of the HOS Rules and the need to regulate the truck driver’s time behind the wheel.
For details, read: “Rising Danger of Fatal Truck Crashes Clashing With Weakened Federal Regulation.”
New Study: ELDs Have Not Made Roads Safer From Truck Accidents
Now, a shocking new study has been released by three respected university professors who analyzed data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding the ELD Rule. Scott, Alex, Andrew Balthrop, and Jason Miller. “Did the Electronic Logging Device Mandate Reduce Accidents?” Available at SSRN 3314308 (2019).
Truck accidents are discussed in pages 21-25 of the research report. From its findings we learn the following:
While truck crashes fell for the large truck carriers, there were more truck accidents for smaller carriers.
Specifically, the number of accidents reported by the largest carriers fell by 3.4% (101-1000 trucks); 1.8% (1001-50,000 trucks); and 12.8% (large asset-based carriers). Report, page 22.
Truck accidents for smaller carriers increased after the implementation of the HOS and ELD Rules. For independent owner-operators, there was a jump of 3.5% in truck crashes. For carriers of 2-6 trucks, there was an increase in truck accidents of 1.8%. Report, page 22.
HOS violations fell for both large and small carriers.
The researchers checked to see if the increase in accidents could be attributed to violating the HOS Rules. They found that there was a decrease in HOS violation rates after the ELD Rule went into effect. However, the corresponding accident rate increased during the same time period. Report, page 22; Figure 6.
“Collectively, these numbers do not point to any obvious reduction in accidents due to the ELD mandate, and in some cases suggest a possible increase in accidents for those carriers most affected by the mandate.”
Their data shows there was a significant increase in the number of truck accidents. For carriers with 101-1,000 trucks, there were over 50 more truck accidents per week. Carriers with 2-6 trucks and 7-20 trucks had an increase in truck accidents ranging from 13 to 22 crashes per week.
“[W]e are able to observe no statistically significant accident reductions. Thus, we cannot conclude that HOS compliance through enforcement of the ELD mandate decreased the number of accidents.”
Serious or Fatal Truck Crashes in Indiana and Illinois
Living in the “crossroads of America,” everyone sharing the roads of Indiana and Illinois with big commercial trucks (big rigs, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, etc.) must be aware of the risks of a serious or fatal truck accident.
Truck crashes often involve people dying in the accident, even if the truck is being driven at relatively low speeds. The difference in size and weight between the large commercial truck and all other motor vehicles with which it shares a roadway alone can mean death for the occupants of any smaller, lighter car, truck, minivan, or SUV. Truck drivers are also vulnerable to perishing in a serious truck accident; the risk of death for truckers in a crash is unacceptably high.
The goal of reducing the number of serious or fatal truck crashes must be reached. Learning why the electronic logging devices and HOS Rules have failed to do so is vital for us all.
There are laws in place for truck crash victims in both Indiana and Illinois to seek justice in the aftermath of one of these horrific accidents. Fatal truck crashes are a serious risk in our part of the country, where so many trucks move along our roads. Let’s be careful out there!
