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Your Jan. 4 Pre-Trip: Truckers hope using ELDs will lower premiums

Jan. 4, 2016

Here are five things worth knowing today.

Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. According to a Business Insurance report, truckers are hoping that safety upgrades, such as using electronic logging devices, will not only improve safety, but also reflect on insurance premiums. According to the report, the Department of Transportation estimates that requiring ELDs will result in annual net savings of more than $1 billion, largely from reducing the required paperwork. It is still unclear as to whether or not insurers will change their underwriting and recognize the safety improvements. Business Insurance has more. 2. Indiana’s Department of Transportation is launching a pilot project to track overweight trucks’ license plates, WNDU 16 reports. The state’s DOT will install license plate-tracking technology along I-94 in northern LaPorte County to track overweight vehicles that can damage infrastructure. According to the report, an INDOT spokesperson said a camera system will work in tandem with “weight-in-motion” sensors embedded in the asphalt.3. The Ohio Department of Transportation is planning a series of overnight shutdowns on northbound I-75 near Cincinnati this week and next, The Trucker reports. According to the report, ODOT says the northbound lanes will be closed at 11 p.m. on Tuesday to allow for bridge repairs. The lanes are scheduled to be closed overnight Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and for three days next week.4. Roush Trucking has donated a semi-truck cab to the Kishwaukee College CDL/Truck Driver Training Program, the Daily Chronicle reports. The donation, a 2005 International 9400i with nearly a million miles of road time and a cam shaft that needs work, allows students to work on the truck and gain some real-world experience, according to the report.5. USA Truck has implemented a new policy that allows its truck drivers to take their furry companions on the road with them. According to an Arkansas Online article, the company said its policy is part of a plan to be known as a “driver friendly” company in a competitive industry. The company joins a growing number of trucking companies allowing drivers to take their pets on the road with them. Arkansas Online has more.

About the Author

Cristina Commendatore

Cristina Commendatore was previously the Editor-in-chief of FleetOwner magazine. She reported on the transportation industry since 2015, covering topics such as business operational challenges, driver and technician shortages, truck safety, and new vehicle technologies. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.