Truck Driving: A Dual Perspective on Independence and Surveillance
Classic Hollywood films often depict truck driving as an embodiment of American values like freedom and masculinity. However, technological advancements pose a challenge to the traditional autonomy of truckers. To enhance road safety, the federal government mandated Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in 2017, effectively replacing easily manipulated paper logs that drivers had used for decades.
The debate surrounding ELDs raises questions: are they an invasion of privacy or crucial safety devices? Perspectives vary, but there is a general consensus that their implementation limits the agency of over three million human drivers in the U.S. trucking industry.
In her new book, Data Driven: Truckers, Technology, and the New Workplace Surveillance, Karen Levy, an associate professor at Cornell University, investigates how technologies like ELDs affect truck drivers. Levy notes that the enforcement of the ELD mandate prompted a mix of cooperation and conflict among truckers, employers, and regulators as each party navigated compliance.
Levy expresses skepticism not just about ELDs, but also about autonomous driving technologies, arguing that “automating away” human faults is not the solution. She stresses that humans will always play a vital role in the operation and oversight of these systems, countering the misconception that humans can be completely replaced.
Throughout the book, Levy captures the harsh realities truckers face, including the toll on their mental and physical health, compounded by dwindling wages since deregulation. Despite these challenges, many truckers are drawn to the profession for the autonomy it offers, allowing them to control their schedules and thrive in a culture that values rugged individualism.
The interview also touches upon the implications of surveillance technologies and their potential to undermine the experienced drivers — those with the safest records — in favor of younger, less experienced truckers. Levy argues that the romance of long-haul trucking is at odds with the growth of technological oversight, which often paints drivers as untrustworthy, thus threatening their sense of identity and professional pride.
Ultimately, Levy advocates for a reevaluation of current regulations, suggesting that in addition to technological advancements, economic reforms—such as extending Fair Labor Standards Act protections to truckers—are essential for ensuring that their contributions are recognized and fairly compensated.
