The EDL (electronic logging device) rule

[No. 1 son]

for truckers is due to kick in Dec 18. The independents, which are a big part but not so much as the large carriers, are having pains with it. It basically replaces the old written log sheets with electronic gps recorders, tracking their hours behind the wheel and other things. The rules don't change, just the recording and reporting. The independents and some large carriers have been discussing a strike, and there was limited protests on Dec 4, which apparently didn't amount to much. If it decreases the number of trucks blocking the interstates with wrecks, it could be a good thing. Everything we consume is delivered by trucks, so hopefully this will go smoothly. 

[bobathon]

They need to retrain. Self driving trucks are going to obviate those records.

[minx]

I think that many people are going to get the shock of their lives when delivery times go from a day to a week.
Lots of truckers (independent and otherwise) are driving way more hours than those logs show, and are under tremendous pressure to do so.
I do support the EDL, as long as the companies that hire the independents aren't allowed to penalize them if delivery times drop because you can't drive from MD to FL in one 12 hour stretch.

[No. 1 son]

Or it is a tool used to force independents out of business, eliminating competition. There's many a slip between the cup and lip. You do realize, don't you, that this renders 387 country and western truck songs out of date?

[minx]

I won't say that the thought didn't cross my mind, but OTOH, in terms of trucks speeding, the worst offenders have got to be UPS and FedEx, and those aren't always being pulled by independents.
In terms of truck songs, my favorite is still be a comedy group back in the 80s (can't remember their name). It was billed as the truck song to end all truck songs, and basically was a guy singing "I'm driving a big truck, Driving a big truck, Driving a big, big truck!" in a country twang. It was really stupid, but you couldn't help but laugh at it.

[k9krap]

Yeah, UPS hit 2 of my dogs on 206 years ago. I found them hours later after an exhaustive search. I know it was them, because the survivor freaked every time a UPS truck passed us after it happened. She never behaved that way before.

I was on 95 yesterday on my way to Richmond and witnessed a trucker violating the law by driving in the passing lane. It’s the first time I’ve seen that in quite a while. And it wasn’t just to pass, he stayed there for some time.

[minx]

I do feel bad for truckers - they get a bad reputation, but it's not an easy job, and there is a boatload of pressure to break the rules and falsify your logs so you can drive longer and get shit from place to place faster.
While it's nice that Amazon can deliver a box in 2 days, is it really that necessary to have your laundry detergent that quickly?