The new ELD “Electronic Logging Device” has caused mayhem in all industries. Drivers are having to decide whether to retire, change careers or just deal with the new requirements. New electronic logs restrict the number of hours a driver can be on the road driving legally, cutting back on their pay and benefits. Once a drivers’ 14 hours are met for the day, they need to shut down for 10 hours before driving again that week. A driver can only drive 70 hours per work week. Once they have acquired 70 hours, a driver must be off for 36 hours before being able to drive again.
Owning a midsize wholesale distribution facility with our own fleet of trucks, our drivers leave and return the same day so the new regulations really don’t affect our business the same way as over the road drivers. Since Packard Forest Products does not operate over the weekends, it’s easier for us to obey these new regulations. However, since our business depends on the over the road drivers to deliver our material, our deliveries are now being delayed for up to a week at a time.