Large trucks are a frequent sight on Pennsylvania roadways. Given the nature of the job that truckers do, it is a requirement that operators keep a trucking log to record how long they have been driving. Whereas drivers have grown accustomed to logging their driving hours by hand, new technology is changing the way logging is done.
A rule implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has required commercial truck and bus drivers to electronically keep track of their hours since the mandate took effect in December 2017, with full industry-wide compliance required by December 2019. Drivers who logged hours by hand had drawn complaints from those investigating trucking accidents and those advocating for greater safety, who said handwritten logs were easy to alter to avoid the regulations.
With electronic logs, it is easier for inspectors to find violators who are not following the rule, and the devices discourage drivers from trying to alter their records in any way. Some drivers have raised concerns about the rule, arguing that companies can gain access to the logs and may pressure drivers who have yet to reach their legal hour limits to keep driving even when they feel they need to rest.
The FMCSA has stated that electronic logs help save money and prevent injuries and fatalities that can result from a semi-truck accident. The agency phased in the requirement, giving companies roughly two years to transition to electronic logging devices before full compliance became mandatory in December 2019. Since drivers can lose the ability to operate their vehicles safely due to driving while fatigued, the rule requiring electronic logs is intended to reduce that risk. Even with that, there is still a chance that a crash will occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electronic logging devices required for truckers today? Yes. The FMCSA’s electronic logging device mandate took effect in December 2017, with full industry-wide compliance required by December 2019, replacing most paper logbooks for commercial drivers.
Why did the FMCSA require electronic logs instead of paper logs? Paper logs were easier to falsify, making it harder to catch drivers who exceeded legal hours-of-service limits. Electronic logs make it easier for inspectors to detect violations and are intended to reduce fatigue-related crashes.
Can trucking companies pressure drivers to exceed their legal hours despite electronic logs? Drivers have raised concerns that some companies attempt to pressure them to keep driving even after reaching legal hour limits. This kind of pressure can be evidence of negligence if it contributes to a fatigue-related crash.
How can electronic logs be used as evidence after a truck accident? Electronic logging data can help establish how long a driver had been on the road and whether they exceeded legal hours-of-service limits, which can be important evidence of negligence in a truck accident claim.
What should I do if I was injured in a crash caused by a drowsy truck driver? Contact a personal injury attorney promptly. They can help obtain the driver’s electronic log data and other evidence to determine whether hours-of-service violations or company pressure contributed to the crash. A person who has been injured in a truck accident caused by a drowsy truck driver may want to meet with a personal injury attorney to see what recourse may be available for seeking compensation.
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
Pennsylvania Attorney's
August 24, 2026
