Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Data Sharing to Improve Safety
May 1, 2017
Truck accidents can cause massive property damage and devastating, often fatal injuries. Over the years, state traffic centers, commercial carrier companies, and truck drivers have collected a vast amount of important and useful data about some of the problems facing the trucking industry. In an effort to improve delivery performance and maximize safety, researchers recommend sharing this data. A team of researchers from Iowa State University reported that the use of electronic logging devices (ELDs) can help streamline the data sharing process, reduce distractions, and ultimately improve safety on the roads.
Effective December 18, 2017, all semi-trucks must transition from paper logs to ELDs. With ELDs, truck drivers and commercial motor carriers will be able to keep track of their Hours of Service (HOS) electronically. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published its final ELD rule in December 2015, which affects over three million truck drivers across the country. According to the new ELD rule, the device must do the following:
- Connect the truck’s engine to the record when the truck is moving
- Enables drivers to log in, at which time they can select On-Duty, Off-Duty, or On-duty Not Driving
- Display a Record of Duty Status, which allows the driver to see all the hours in a day
- Provide data in a standardized format, which can then be transmitted to law enforcement via a wireless web service, USB, or Bluetooth 2.0
- Be provider-certified so that the device meets the appropriate specification requirements
Researchers surveyed over 24 logistics and technology providers, commercial carriers, as well as a wide range of haulers in an effort to determine which trucking issues could benefit most from having greater access to trucking data. The issues that were identified as the most common problems included hazardous weather conditions, points of congestion, traffic accidents, poor road conditions, limited parking availability, and construction zones.
The researchers believe that the incidence of near-misses and life-threatening collisions can be reduced, and safety rates improved, by incorporating pertinent information into the ELD system. The research team also believes that the ELD has the potential to reduce driver distractions, as opposed to logging data into an app, which could result in more trucking accidents. One quick glance down at a truck driver’s app on a cell phone could have disastrous results. Using an ELD is a much safer way to deliver important information to carriers and drivers.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of All Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are often some of the most destructive and devastating crashes on roads and highways across the country. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident, you are urged to contact the experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton today. We have a proven track record of reaching successful outcomes for our clients and we are committed to helping you secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. We will not stop fighting for you until justice has been served. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
