Iowa truckers worry over new federal regulations for electronic logs

Manson, Ia. — New federal rules requiring truckers to use electronic logging devices to monitor their hours of service are creating heartburn for some small Iowa trucking companies.

The electronic gear, which has replaced old-fashioned paper logbooks to record hours of service, became mandatory for most in the trucking industry in December. Truck drivers are given a 14-hour work window, but they are limited to 11 hours behind the wheel, and they have to take a break after driving for eight hours.

The switch to electronic logging devices was mandated by Congress to help create a safer work environment for drivers, and make it easier and faster to accurately track, manage, and share records of duty status data. But some smaller Iowa trucking companies contend the rules have created an inflexible work environment where truck drivers' sleep patterns are being interrupted and they are driving too fast to get somewhere.

Productivity is down and profits are being hurt, says Chad Hartzler, operations manager at Peterson Transportation Inc. of Manson, which hosted U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, on Friday to discuss the issue. They were joined by officials from M S & Sons Corp. of Humboldt, and Miller Trucking and Ramthum Trucking, both of Manson, which is about 20 miles west of Fort Dodge.

Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/23/iowa-truckers-worry-over-new-federal-regulations-electronic-logs/368552002/