ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Leaders of the American Trucking Associations hailed today’s release of a rule mandating the use of electronic logging devices by commercial vehicles as a historic step forward for the industry.

“Today is truly a historic day for trucking,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “This regulation will change the trucking industry – for the better – forever. An already safe and efficient industry will get more so with the aid of this proven technology.”

“Today’s important announcement could not have happened without Congressional support, so we thank Congress and congratulate the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for moving forward on this requirement,” said Dave Osiecki, ATA executive vice president and chief of national advocacy. “ATA looks forward to working closely with FMCSA, state law enforcement agencies, as well as our members and industry partners during the two-year transition to full implementation of this safety technology.”

Since 2010, a requirement for electronic logging devices to monitor driver hours-of-service has been a top priority for ATA and that support led to federal legislation calling for today’s rule.

“Safety is ATA’s highest priority,” said ATA Chairman Pat Thomas, senior vice president of state government affairs for UPS. “Today’s announcement of an ELD mandate will make our industry even safer than it is today so we are grateful to FMCSA for advancing this important regulation.”

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or onFacebook. Trucking Moves America Forward