New Electronic On-Board Recorder Rule Takes Effect
The most dangerous interstate truck and bus companies will have to install and maintain Electronic On-Board Recorders. The rule issued by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration was passed several months ago, but takes effect on June 4, 2010. Now the most egregious of hours of service violators will be required to record their drivers' hours of service.
If, during a compliance review, the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration finds that a motor carrier has a 10 percent or more violation rate for any of the hours of service regulations, that carrier will have to install the Electronic On-Board Recorders in their entire fleet of semi-trucks or buses. The Electronic On-Board Recorders must remain in place, in working order, for at least two years.
The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration has predicted that the rule will result in the installation of Electronic On-Board Recorders in approximately 5,700 trucks over the next two years.
In addition to the carriers that a required to install the Electronic On-Board Recorders, many carriers are expected to voluntarily install such devices. It is obviously the hope of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration that the utilization of Electronic On-Board Recorders will reduce truck accidents throughout the United States.
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