Electronic work diaries (EWDs) are apps used by heavy vehicle drivers to record work and rest times. They are an electronic version of the written work diary (WWD) which is a legal requirement by the NHVR to manage and prevent driver fatigue. The advantage of using an electronic work diary is that it will be programmed with the rules for each fatigue plan (Standard or BFM) and will send the driver rest break and potential non-compliance notifications.
Using an electronic work diary is also much simpler than using a WWD, is it is operated via touch screen instead of pen and paper. For this reason, it’s also less likely to get damaged or lost. Electronic work diaries can record time down to the nearest minute, unlike written work diaries which work in fifteen-minute blocks. For drivers, using an electronic work diary can reduce reporting time by over 50%, as it doesn’t require as much stopping and starting. Overall, an EWD is much more convenient.
There are only a number of NHVR approved electronic work diaries available in Australia, with Smart eDriver being the very first to be released in 2020. Since then the app has gained popularity and has continued to provide the very best in heavy vehicle fatigue management. Unlike other options, it doesn’t require telematics or connection to the vehicle, and can be downloaded directly from the Google Play store or Apple App Store. It has a simple, easy to use interface and doesn’t require any specific make or model of device to operate.
The Smart eDriver electronic work diary isn’t just for drivers, though. It has advanced reporting capabilities for fleet managers and compliance officers. Chain of responsibility (CoR) legislation dictates that every person involved in heavy vehicle transport is responsible for safety on the road. Using an EWD can simplify this process by bringing real-time notifications and data to your business.