Knight-Swift Transportation Announces Early Adoption of Federal Compliance Mandate
Company leads transportation industry in implementing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration electronic logging device rule -- or ELD mandate
Feb 06, 2018, 08:15 ET
PHOENIX, Feb. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Knight-Swift Transportation is pleased to announce that it has become the largest truckload company to meet the December 2017 Federal ELD deadline. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the final electronic logging device rule in December 2015 requiring all CDL drivers to keep a Record of Duty Status (RODS) using an ELD to document compliance with Hour of Service (HOS) before January 2018.
The company, a strong proponent of the federal mandate, has been using electronic logging solutions which automatically record driving data for several years. The mandate was met early as its current fleet was automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs) compliant and therefore grandfathered under the ELD rule until December 2019.
ELD's create transparency that permits the company to reduce risk, cost, and improve overall fleet efficiency. ELD compliance requirements can be leveraged to improve vehicle inspections, fuel tax reporting, as well as improving vehicle maintenance. Furthermore, ELD's create an environment that improve work conditions for drivers. ELD's data helps prevent abuses of RODS that lead to fatigued driving. According to FMCSA, this transparency will improve safety and estimates that 26 lives will be saved each year.
Knight-Swift Executive Chairman, Kevin Knight, who has observed the transition to ELDs notes, "ELDs have been an important part of the last 8 years at Knight Transportation; we've seen a huge shift in performance and achieved great success in helping Driving Associates make the transition from paper to digital logs. We are excited to provide an opportunity to other professional drivers that have yet to work with this technology."
In addition to greatly reducing compliance cost of safety conscious carriers through automating log collection and auditing, FMCSA data suggests drivers can add 5-10 hours a week of drive time or home time. One of the ELDs key features is a countdown timer with audible alerts ensuring drivers are never surprised to discover they're running low on hours.
Steve Adams, a Knight Driving Associate adds, "ELDs have contributed to improved road safety, working conditions and increased revenue for the professional truck driver among many other benefits."
For more information about the electronic logging device (ELD) rule visit https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/faqs
About Knight-Swift
Knight-Swift, through its Knight Transportation, Swift Transportation, Kold Trans and Barr-Nunn branded subsidiaries, operates the largest truckload fleet in North America as well as extensive rail intermodal and non-asset-based freight brokerage and logistics management services. The Company's broad suite of services includes irregular route, dedicated, expedited, port drayage, and cross-border U.S./Mexico/Canada transport utilizing dry van, refrigerated, flatbed and specialized trailers, and intermodal containers.
SOURCE Knight-Swift Transportation