Teamsters Back New Rules to Track Hours-of-Service Violations

Electronic On-Board Recording Devices Valuable Asset When Used Responsibly

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration proposed new rules for the use of electronic on-board recorders (EOBR) in commercial vehicles to track and regulate hours of service and prevent violations by truck and bus companies.

While the proposed rule will not require carriers to utilize EORBs, it would offer incentives to companies to adopt the technology voluntarily.

“When used for its designed purpose, on-board recorders can be a valuable tool to prevent companies from pushing their drivers past advisable hours of service,” said Tyson Johnson, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division. “However, our union will continue to negotiate language in future contracts that prevent the abuse of the data collected by EORBs.”

The Teamsters National Master Freight Agreement currently includes language that prevents carriers from using any data gathered from an electronic tracking system as grounds for disciplinary actions.

“Our members are the best-trained and safest drivers on the road,” Johnson said. “If this rule helps to stop hours-of-service violations and improve safety on our highways, we all will benefit from its implementation.”