New, Mandatory, Electronic Trackers Are ‘Peace Of Mind’ For Trucking Industry
SAINT JOHN — As of January 1, Atlantic Canadian truckers who transport goods across provincial lines must now log their hours and distances using electronic logging devices. Buses that cross provincial borders are also subject to the new federal rules.
“We see this as a good thing for the industry,” says Chris McKee executive director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association. “It’s another step in keeping our roads safer and it makes life more efficient for our drivers and our carrier members.”
Truck drivers are required to log their hours of service, ensuring they take at least eight consecutive hours of rest, and two additional hours for breaks, during a 24-hour period — and never exceed 13 hours of driving in a day. The logs also cover how much distance is traveled and what jurisdiction that distance is travelled in.
Drivers used to fill that information out manually on hard copy forms, but the new electronic logging devices (ELDs) make that paperwork is a thing of the past.
This rollout has been a long time coming. Transport Canada set the stage for the switch in 2021 with what it called “a period of progressive enforcement without penalties until January 1, 2023, including elevated education and awareness for motor carriers and drivers.”
New Brunswick came in line with the rules on January 1 as well, requiring all trucks and buses travelling further than 160 km from their home base to also have ELDs. Other provinces will be following suit as the year progresses.
The federal department created an Electronic Logging Device Certification Stakeholder Advisory Committee to engage with industry on the testing and certification scheme for the devices and is providing a list of certified software and devices, some of which are already used in the United States and Mexico, to make tracking easier across jurisdictions.
Drivers from the US and Mexico who come to Canada are also now required to have Canadian-certified ELDs on board.
“It’s much easier because in the past they’ve had to go through all of this long paperwork, manually. People have to sit and do that,” McKee says. “Now all the data is basically fed into the system… and it’s all there.”
McKee goes on to say that the costs for carriers to put ELDs into vehicles are quickly recouped by the lack of time and labour costs of dealing with paper logs.
It’s a modernization that makes it much easier for carriers to report on how many hours and kilometres are driven in each province, or across the border, to be in compliance with fuel tax sharing agreements and other international and national driving programs.
But what about this new technology – are drivers being hindered by having to deal with a new and complex technical system?
“Tech barriers,” McKee says. “No, I haven’t heard from any members that that’s an issue at all.”
He says the automatic nature of many of these devices helps drivers avoid transcription or other unintentional errors that can lead to fines. Many of the devices are quite simple and require minimal input from the drivers.
“Most people know how to use a cell phone or a tablet,” McKee says. “My impression is that they’re not that that difficult to use at all.”
Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus owner, Mike Cassidy says his fleet implemented the devices years ago to comply with US regulations. He says it was a significant investment by the company in hardware, software, and training.
“It’s a change, a big change, and there’s a learning curve,” Cassidy says. “It’s like anything else: you go through it in the training room… but it never works until the driver is actually going through the process, running into difficulty, calling our technical support people, and getting it fixed in real-time.”
He says that it’s been an important change not just for how his drivers operate but for the safety of everyone on the road. He adds that the technical hurdles have never been insurmountable and are no longer an issue. He says the electronic logs have helped streamline a lot of administrative tasks.
“You cannot have an error, you cannot intentionally change it. You live by the [ELD] and that’s where you have the safety and compliance. That’s what’s so important.”
Cassidy says the computerization of the log has led to behaviour changes across the industry that have made things better for everyone: drivers, passengers, and all the people on the road.
“If you believe in compliance, and you believe in safety, you have to have well-maintained vehicles and you have to have well-rested, alert, professional drivers,” he says.
ELDs with their accurate records, help keep everyone in line with the regulations.
“It’s peace of mind.”
Alex Graham is a Huddle reporter in Saint John. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].