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rule could severely cut into the number up and finish his last three hours of bed is and where his family is,” he said.
of people required to use ELDs,” he said. driving.” Richardson with Dedicated Logistics
Overall, PAM Transport’s Gray gave Carman appreciates the FMCSA’s said the industry has followed the rules
the agency high marks, writing, “The attempt to add flexibility to the regu- and adopted ELDs even though they
FMCSA listened to all their stakeholders lations but worries that the changes reduced the hours drivers could travel.
including driving professionals, and I will be diluted in their final form. Now, it’s the government’s turn.
think they have come out with a propos- Regardless, the changes still would “To me this is a kind of a, ‘OK,
al that appears to be fair and logical.” apply a “one-size-fits-all solution” to a you’ve done your part as an industry.
Stephens said the rules changes diverse industry. His drivers travel 500- We’re going to do our part by trying to
would provide his carrier with much- 700 miles from their home base, and make some of these rules and regula-
needed flexibility in the wake of the it’s not uncommon for their clocks to tions be more flexible and make more
ELD mandate. When the mandate took run out within about 50 miles of their sense,’” he said. “Because we’re talking
effect, he lost 25% of his driver pool home, leaving them stranded until they about human beings. We’re not talking
because older drivers retired and left the can drive again. Carman Inc. solved about computers out there, and like I
industry early rather than alter long- that problem by hiring additional driv- said, everybody’s body works differ-
established habits. One owner-operator ers who meet the parked trucks in their ently.”
quit because he didn’t see well at night, personal vehicle, swap out with the And Mark Morris, president and
and the lack of flexibility kept him from driver, and let him come home in the CEO of Morris Transportation Services,
driving when he needed to. vehicle while they bring the truck in. said drivers need the flexibility to react
“Forcing a driver to drive the last “If he’s 50 miles from the house, to the conditions they face on the road.
two-and-a-half hours of his leg because and he’s been gone several days and “You’re talking about guys driv-
he’s already logged in and already driv- he is rested, I think it would be nice ing 80,000-pound rigs, right?” he said.
ing, and he can’t take a break is not to have a little flexibility – not a large “You’ve got to give them credit for the
safe,” he said. “It just makes sense. amount of flexibility – where he could job they do and maybe put a little bit
Safe would be allowing that guy to stop go ahead and use some occasional bump more responsibility in their hands when
and take a two-hour nap, and then get to get him on into the house where his they need it.” ATR

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ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 25