New Electronic Logging Device Regulation
Truckers are on the road hours at a time, and new federal Electronic Logging Device regulations implemented by the U.S. Department of Transportation is said to better manage fatigue and schedule issues for those drivers.However, the agricultural industry is pushing back against the new rules.
Bill Lapp, President of Advanced Economic Solutions, talks about how the new Electronic Logging rules for truck drivers, are making it more expensive to ship things like fresh meat.
"If you got a 40000 lb truck with meat with $2 a pound that's $80,000 in the freight from the Midwest to the West Coast might be $2,500 so if it doesn't get there on time it goes from the value of $80,000 to 0... so you need to have be willing to pay up for the freight, so that's why it's going to be a challenge next year."
Livestock and perishable produce haulers say they're concerned with the new regulation because it doesn't let them do their job.
Experts say the rule may fit Macy's or Walmart, but is it really unfair to small and medium businesses that are delivering goods and services across the nation.
The U.S. DOT announced it would further delay implementation of the mandate for agriculture transportation for 90 days.