Ranchers seek exemption to electronic device trucking rule

Cattle ranchers want an exemption to a livestock hauling rule change that they say will hinder their ability to transport animals long distances. The new rule requires the use of hours-of-service electronic logging devices by drivers who are currently required only to prepare records of duty status.The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration’s Electronic Logging Device rule goes into effect Dec. 18, 2017.The final rule does not change federal hours-of-service requirements, said Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration spokesman Duane DeBruyne. Drivers required to maintain federal records of duty status must convert from paper logs to electronic logging devices.Current rules place an 11-hour driving limit after a driver has been off-duty 10 hours and require 30-minute rest breaks every eight hours. A driver may not drive after 60-70 hours of consecutive duty in seven or eight days. “The device will log in whenever the truck starts, and that kicks off the hours of service clock, even if the driver just drives 20 minutes out of town to the sale barn to get in line early and climbs in the sleeper for a five-hour nap until the sale is over and he has a load ready for him,” O’Byrne said.“Our concern is that the (electronic device) does not recognize the discretionary actions of the livestock driver as he performs his regular duty,” he said.