My previous blog had no direct bearing on the necessity of medical fitness, noobs whining or old-timers bitching.
The points I was attempting to make are as follows:
- Concern is growing in regard to the security of electronically submitted records which contain personal information.
- Likewise, the effects of further personal and company paperwork and the financial burden of recordkeeping on independents, owner-operators and small companies who are already under duress from current requirements.
- The very real possibility of widespread errors before, during or after transmission of the information.
- Projected difficulties when attempting to correct erroneous information. (can anyone say "fix my DAC?")
- The absolute surety that there will be multitudes of state, local, county and federal officials who have no real idea how to implement this new program and the subsequent snarls in enforcement and oversight.
Nobody in their right mind would suggest that just anyone be behind the wheel of a heavy truck. As a matter of fact, there are certain types of "disability" that should bar a driver from ever holding a CDL, no matter what they drive. Exactly where to draw the line? Unclear.
Reading any forthcoming text of the new regulations may clarify some points but questions will remain as to what type of effect this change will have on a widespread basis. It may be that, with 3 years to fine-tune, the change will be smoother than might be anticipated.
Then again? Maybe not.
