The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) seems to perpetually delay the proposed rule for requiring electronic on-board recorders (EOBR’s) for vehicles in the trucking and transit industry. Many suggest that the delay is the result of the well-healed truck industry lobby. Proponents of the potential rule are hoping that greater accountability and accurate logging of hours will help to improve roadway safety for motorists across the U.S. With 26,000 Americans dying each year in crashes with big trucks, we need all the help we can get to make truck drivers safer.

Electronic On-Board Recorders (Electronic Logging Devices)

EOBR’s, also known as electronic logging devices, are on-board monitors that will keep track of the amount of time a particular vehicle has been driven. These devices are of incredible importance to the trucking and transit industry, where hours-of-service (HOS) rules regulate how often and for how long a driver can get behind the wheel. It’s not uncommon for unscrupulous drivers to violate HOS rules. These rules were put in place to prevent collisions caused by driver fatigue. If EOBR’s are required on all commercial trucks, it will be difficult for truck drivers to violate HOS rules without getting caught. Accurate logging of hours and greater accountability will help keep big-rig drivers awake and alert.

Safety Implications

Critics are citing too much regulation and ‘unnecessary’ expense as two reasons why they don’t agree with the proposed rule. It’s important to note that the potential safety implications of EOBR’s would mean fewer crashes involving fatigued drivers. Since crashes involving tractor trailers are often incredibly devastating, preventing these wrecks needs to be a top priority for the FMCSA. Semi trucks are much larger and heavier than traditional passenger occupant vehicles, and crashes can often cause serious and fatal injuries.

After a Truck Accident
After any kind of accident involving an 18 wheeler or other commercial truck, you should contact an experienced truck injury lawyer. Professionals in the trucking industry have an important set of rules and regulations to follow. If those regulations aren’t being properly adhered to, people can get hurt or killed. Evidence of negligence or misconduct might not be immediately apparent either, so an experienced truck accident attorney can ask the right questions and safeguard your rights. An attorney can be your advocate during this difficult time. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, contact the skilled team at the Davis Law Group, P.A. for a free consultation.