How Do Electronic Logging Devices in Minnesota Handle Daylight Saving Time?

As you’re well aware, daylight saving time is over once again—the days are short and the nights are long once more. Depending on whether or not you like driving in the dark, you’re either elated or you’re counting down the days until March, when daylight saving begins again.Daylight saving affects us all, and it also has an effect on our electronic logging devices in Minnesota. Read on to learn a few things you need to know about daylight saving time and how it impacts your driving and the devices you use to complete your job.Thanks to federal mandates, all electronic logging devices have to be equipped to seamlessly transition to and from daylight saving time. Whether we’re “springing forward”in March or “falling back”in November, you can count on your logging device to make the proper time adjustment for you.

How does it impact drivers?

Daylight saving time doesn’t just affect your electronic logging devices in Minnesota—it also takes a major toll on all of the truckers on the road. Here are a few of the biggest ways it impacts you and your job:

• Hours of service: When we “fall back”in November, you don’t need to take an extra hour for your 10-hour rest. Your electronic logging device still counts 10 off-duty hours, even though the time on a normal clock will read differently. If possible, we recommend taking your 10-hour break during this shift, which begins at 2:00 a.m.on the morning of the time change.
• Internal clock: It’s only an hour, but daylight saving time can really throw off our internal clocks and natural sleep cycles. Needless to say, this can pose a big problem for truckers out on the road. Accidents are much more likely to occur the first few days after the time changes. In fact, a 2011 study showed that over a 10-year time period, there were 302 deaths in the first six days after daylight saving time started. You should always make sure you’re 100 percent rested before you hit the road.
• Driving at night: The winter means shorter days, and that problem is compounded by the end of daylight saving time. That means you’re going to be driving at night a whole lot more over the next few months, so you’ll need to be extra vigilant on the road, especially of other cars and drivers who might not see all that well in the dark. Additionally, make sure your headlights are always clean, and that you always obey the speed limit.

The end of daylight saving time means we’re closer to the end of the year, and this is a prime time to revisit the shipping and logistics practices and providers your company currently uses. The next time you need items shipped or warehoused, be sure you choose K-Way Express, Inc. Our 60 years of experience in the freight industry, guaranteed on-time delivery and affordable rates make us your number one choice for pickup and delivery service in the contiguous 48 states. To get a quote, pick up the phone and give us a call—we’re sure you’ll be satisfied with our estimate!