Function creep
Over the holidays, my oldest and I were running errands and swung by one of my favorite places for lunch. They had just opened, and the owner and I got to telling stories of growing up as Gen X.
We laughed about home phones with long cords giving us some freedom and independence from the prying ears of our parents. That is, if you could convince your neighbors on the party line to let you have a few minutes to talk to your friend.
Today, we carry around cellphones that do almost anything we need. I can honestly say that I’m no smarter thanks to smartphones. I used to have a phone book of numbers in my head. I could recall useless, albeit interesting, facts much quicker. Now I don’t even try. I just Google it on my phone.
These devices are distracting us. They are causing ergonomic issues with hands and necks and maybe some others we don’t even know about. None of that keeps us from adopting more tech and adapting it into our lives at an incredibly fast pace.
And the government is just as guilty of blindly forging ahead with new tech as anyone. It seems that just because we can do it and have the tech, it must be the answer to all our problems.
And before you think I’m about to yell at the kids on my lawn, hear me out.
In this issue we focus on “trackers on truckers.” The concept is simple enough. There are chips or RFID stickers that would have information for law enforcement to use on inspections.
The problem is function creep.
Function creep happens when information is used for a purpose beyond the original intended purpose. We take a deep dive into the proposal and unpack the serious unintended consequences coupled with the temptation that if we have the data, we can use the data for anything. Check it out, starting on Page 14.
While I’m on the topic of tech overreach, let’s talk electronic logging devices.
So, the gadgets that were going to make trucking so much safer did just the opposite. Crashes have gone up since the mandate went into effect. That doesn’t surprise truckers at all. Many, including OOIDA, warned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of just that.
Now, the agency is actually considering doubling down and expanding the mandate. Of course, OOIDA is in opposition. We detail what the agency is seeking and the response to this point starting on Page 22.
The Trucking Alliance has continued on its quest to get positive drug tests through hair testing either mandated or reported to the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. They were shot down, again, by FMCSA. We have that report on Page 24.
But, make no mistake, they aren’t done. I’ve covered Lane Kidd’s antics when he was with the Arkansas Trucking Association. Now at the helm of The Trucking Alliance, a group of powerful mega carriers, he’s no less relentless today than 20 years ago. Those motor carriers he represents are not used to being told no and not getting their way. This will be a story we continue to follow closely in 2023.
The OOIDA Board of Directors met in late 2022, right after the midterm elections. FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson joined the meeting virtually and discussed a number of issues that lie ahead. Once the meeting with Hutcheson wrapped up, the plotting and planning on key issues took center stage. You can catch up on what happened starting on Page 46.
With the battles that lie ahead for us in 2023, it’s time to get your game plan together and commit to being part of the fight. We put together a handy guide on all the ways you can be a part of influencing policy and change. We call it Mission: Maximum Influence, and it starts on Page 38. This is one you’ll want to keep with you in the truck. LL