Truckers speak out against new tracking technology

Independent truckers from around the country gathered today to bring attention to the new technology mandate that could leave consumers paying more at the grocery store.

"There is going to be a huge economical downfall in this, pretty much everything you own and love is going to go up in price," said Kevin Killeen, an independent truck driver, based out of Buffalo, Mo.

Killeen and other southwest Missouri truck drivers say they are against a new U.S. Congress mandate which requires all truck drivers to install an electronic logging device (ELD) in their truck before Dec. 18. The truckers say they will be forced to raise their costs of service because it will take them longer to compete their routes while using an ELD.

In a statement, the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said the goal of installing ELDs in trucks is to "improves safety without impeding commerce."

Killeen says he understands the importance of safety but feels many established drivers are being punished for having clean driving records.

"Do I think there is safety issues in trucking? Absolutely. But training is the number one place we need to start, not punishing the guys with good service records. We have got guys out here that have twenty plus years on the road and have never had an accident. And yet you are telling me that putting an ELD in his truck is going to make him a safer driver," Killeen said.

Truckers from around the country are working with lawmakers to change the mandate. United States House Resolution 3282 is currently in committee and aims to put a two year extension on requiring ELDs in trucks. If passed, it would also require scientific studies to further examine the use of monitoring devices. Killeen and other southwest Missouri truck drivers say they are in favor of U.S. HR 3282.