NACD Files Comments on FMCSA Electronic On-Board Recorder Proposal

ARLINGTON, Va., May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday, NACD filed comments with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expressing concerns about the agency's proposed rule to require all interstate carriers currently using Records of Duty (RODs) logbooks to use electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) to monitor hours of service compliance. Last year, FMCSA finalized a rule requiring carriers with serious records of HOS violations to install EOBRs. Now FMCSA is seeking to expand this mandate to a much larger universe of carriers, regardless of violation records. In the comments, NACD objects to FMCSA's position that those who have strong HOS compliance records be treated the same as those who have a history of violations. NACD's comments also raise concerns about the costs of the new requirement. In addition, the comments recommend that FMCSA give carriers the option of either installing EOBRs to monitor HOS or continuing to retain supporting documents to verify driving time.

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"An alternative solution, which would address the lack of flexibility in the proposed rule, would be to give carriers the choice of either installing EOBRs to monitor HOS or continuing to retain supporting documents to verify driving time. This option would give each entity more flexibility in determining how best to comply with HOS monitoring requirements. Carriers who wish to invest in EOBRs in order to the reduce paperwork burden could do so, while those who have an efficient paper system would not be forced to spend thousands of dollars on new mandated equipment, training, and service fees," wrote NACD Vice President of Government Affairs, Jennifer Gibson.

For a copy of NACD's comments, go to www.nacd.com/advocacy/comments.aspx. For a copy of the proposed rule, go to www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-02-01/pdf/2011-2093.pdf.

NACD and its 390 member companies are vital to the chemical supply chain providing products to over 750,000 end users.  They make a delivery every five seconds while maintaining a safety record that is more than twice as good as the safety standards set by DOT.  NACD members are leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of Responsible Distribution, established in 1991 as a condition of membership and is a third-party verified management practice. For additional information on our members, their safety record or NACD, visit www.nacd.com

CONTACT:  Matthew Glaser, +1-703-527-NACD(6223)

SOURCE National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)