ELD Update

ELD Update

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Almost exactly one year ago I did a story about the Electronic Logging Device rule. Truckers hauling livestock had received a 90-day waiver from the Federal Government's new rule. But the trucking industry was hoping for a long-term solution to the problem. The rule went into effect for most operators, but the U.S. Department of Transportation delayed the regulation for trucks transporting livestock until mid-March of 2018.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation officially suspended the requirement that livestock haulers use ELDs in their trucks. While this is welcome news from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there is still uncertainty for drivers. Steve Hilker, chairman of the transportation committee for U.S. Cattlemen's Association and owner of Hilker Trucking says they've been to Washington three times this year to educate elected officials and FMCSA on why ELD would not work in livestock transportation. Hilker says, they have also had to deal with contentions from the American Trucking Association. Livestock haulers transport everything from cattle to honey bees and live fish. They are a diverse group and completely different than the rest of the transportation industry. 

In May, a bipartisan group of 11 senators led by Nebraska's Senator Ben Sasse introduced the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act (T-LASS) that would help reform federal Hours of Service Regulations for truckers hauling livestock. Hilker says, the bill would really assist livestock transportation

Previous ReportRocky Mtn Oysters.
Next ReportVETERINARIANS PERSPECTIVE ON ANTIBIOTICS