4 Ways Your Fleet Will Benefit from ELD Mandate Compliance
The ELD mandate was put into effect by the FMCSA and the DOT to improve safety by avoiding crashes and preventing injury. The rule requires ELD (electronic logging device) use by commercial drivers who must prepare hours-of-service (HOS) and records of duty status (RODS). The mandate is being rolled out over a four-year period to give fleet owners the time necessary to make the switch. While it can be a headache to ensure compliance with the rule, fleet management software solutions and consultants can help fleet owners achieve a smooth transition.
One of the biggest headaches fleet owners face when implementing the mandate is the need to purchase and train employees on the technology required for compliance. The ELD mandate is requiring fleet owners to move into a more modern, mobile-first world. Smartphones and tablets are used in the daily lives of millions of people. The ELD mandate, paired with the emergence of sophisticated mobile fleet management software, is propelling fleet owners into modernization.
While the move from more traditional fleet management practices can be intimidating, the use of technology has proven to ease the pain points many fleet owners and employees experience on a day to day basis. This infographic from the organization ELD Facts illustrates the many benefits that go beyond complying with the mandate.
Below are four ways your fleet will benefit from ELD mandate compliance:
1. Improved Safety
In cab-safety is improved with ELD use by accomplishing the following:
- Reducing distracted driving – ELDs offer turn by turn directions for drivers to follow hands-free.
Automating alerts related to hard-braking, speeding and critical events during an accident. - Reporting on unsafe driving – you can use this information to coach drivers into safer behavior or to capture events that occurred during an accident for insurance and liability purposes.
- Sending roadside assistance to a driver experiencing a breakdown – increasing the speed of assistance to get them back on the job.
- Helping drivers (and management) monitor speeding, reducing the number of fines associated with speeding tickets.
2. Reduced Fuel Costs
When drivers have access to hands-free directions to their destination fuel costs are reduced by eliminating unnecessary turns and long routes, and your customers are happier because drivers arrive on time. Many GPS and telematics providers integrate with ELDs and fleet management systems to ensure that all your data is securely stored in one system.
3. Increased Driver Productivity
Through use of an ELD, drivers eliminate the need to fill out paper driving logs completely. According to the FMCSA, drivers spend over 20 hours per year on paperwork, or about 15 minutes per work day. It may seem like a small number, but eliminating paper work adds driving time every day to your driver’s log – and it increases overall productivity.
4. HOS Compliance
With use of an ELD, your fleet will meet and exceed HOS compliance. Remaining compliant with HOS is easier with use of an ELD – drivers will receive alerts when it’s time to stop driving; reducing the number of violations received and increasing safety on the road.
I like how you said that a direction system will allow for hands-free directions. This would probably help your drivers get where they need to go without violating your DOT compliance. Talking to a professional to figure out what is okay and what isn’t would be a good way to ensure that you are in the clear.