First Roadcheck of the ELD era could cause supply chain disruptions, say experts
With the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Roadcheck less than a week away, some industry experts are warning that the first ever inspection blitz conducted during the ELD era could result in shipping delays and truck capacity problems.
This year’s Roadcheck will take place throughout North America from June 5 — 7 and will focus on Hours of Service regulation compliance. This, coupled with fact the that inspectors will be placing truckers out of service if they do not have an ELD device, has led to some concern within the industry about decreased truck capacity and delays.
The Journal of Commerce warned in a report out yesterday that “shippers could face challenges finding trucks June 5 to 7 as an annual three-day roadside safety blitz tests electronic logging and hours-of-service compliance.”
Transport consultancy TranzAct Technologies Inc. issued an email warning shippers that they “may see shipment delays or find it more difficult to book transportation during this window”, according to a report in DC Velocity. TranzAct reports that a significant number of truck drivers choose to opt out of the 72 hour inspection blitz by taking vacation during Roadcheck, which could also work to tighten capacity.
The CVSA denies that Roadcheck will have any effect on the supply chain in spite of the fact that during last year’s campaign (before the ELD Mandate went into effect) more than 62,000 inspections were performed in three days and more than 19% of trucks and nearly 5% of drivers were taken out of service. CVSA executive director Collin B. Mooney said, “In reality, we don’t do anything different (during the three-day period than) during any day throughout the year.” Mooney did acknowledge that focusing on Hours of Service compliance just two months after the April 1 ELD “hard enforcement” date could be bringing more attention to this year’s inspection blitz.
You can click here for more information on how to prepare for Roadcheck 2018.