Fleet operators know that ELDs help reduce paperwork and serve as indisputable proof at a federal inspection. Advanced ELDs can collect a wealth of data, such as engine power and vehicle movement, idling time, and even GPS location.
Look for an ELD device that is easy to install with no monthly fees. Ensure it supports your team’s telematics platform and avoids extra costs like installation technician fees.
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Reduced Risk of Accidents
The ELD mandate has made it much harder for drivers to violate HOS laws by driving longer without breaks. These devices also help reduce driver fatigue, a leading cause of truck accidents.
ELD device drivers can save on fuel costs and may enjoy better insurance rates. They can even avoid costly fines and penalties, and their CSA scores can improve with a more accurate and reliable form of record-keeping.
In addition to reducing the risk of accidents, many advanced ELD solutions can track driver behavior and report on vehicle utilization, speeding, harsh braking, and idling. This allows fleet managers to identify and address unsafe driving habits before they become a severe problem. When choosing an ELD device, look for an easy-to-use interface and reliable customer support to ensure drivers can easily navigate the system. Then, make a plan to train them on how to use the device before it goes into effect properly.
Increased Productivity
Fleets using ELD devices save much time that would otherwise be spent recording their drivers’ driving activity in paper logbooks. This frees up the dispatchers to handle more urgent matters and increases efficiency.
In addition to saving fleets from the hassle of manually recording driver hours, a robust ELD device can also identify dangerous driving behaviors like speeding and harsh braking. This helps prevent accidents that drain the business wallet through insurance claims, repair costs, and downtime.
Many ELD devices that plug into the vehicle’s OBD port can pull engine data, including fault codes, so they can quickly respond to maintenance issues and repairs. Moreover, when an operator uses an ELD that provides features like route optimization, they can save money by reducing fuel usage. This leads to higher profits for trucking companies.
Reduced Costs
Using ELDs saves fleet owners time by eliminating the need for paper logs. Plus, by optimizing routes and increasing productivity, they can save money on labor.
A fleet can also benefit from reduced maintenance costs by tracking vehicle diagnostics and identifying inefficiencies. Then, they can quickly address these issues to ensure vehicles stay on the road.
Adding an ELD to your trucks also helps you avoid costly HOS violations that can increase your insurance premiums. ELDs remove the risk of human error when recording hours of service, ensuring that drivers do not exceed federal regulations. Moreover, the ATA found that truckers with ELDs experienced 53% fewer driving-related violations than those without. ELDs can also help you reduce fuel costs by monitoring engine idling and providing better route planning data. They can even help you save money on maintenance by allowing drivers to submit digital pre- and post-trip inspection reports easily.
Enhanced Safety
Drowsy driving significantly contributes to truck accidents, and ELD devices help drivers maintain regular sleep habits. This helps reduce fender benders, vehicle damage, liability claims, and traffic violations that may otherwise lead to higher expenses for fleets.
Additionally, the information provided by ELD devices can be used to improve route planning and optimize delivery schedules. This will result in increased operational efficiency, lower fuel costs, and better insurance rates for fleets.
In addition, an ELD device will make logging hours of service more efficient for drivers and dispatchers by eliminating the need for manual paperwork. Drivers will no longer need to write and fax paper logs at fuel stops, and dispatchers can access real-time HOS data from a dashboard or app. Choosing an ELD vendor with a user-friendly interface and easy installation ensures your drivers and dispatchers remain comfortable using the device. Moreover, look for a solution that uses blockchain technology to create an immutable digital record of the data stored within it, improving transparency and security.
