Truckers and Travelers

Hello, Fellow Drivers,  I found an interesting bit of trucking industry news that affects all drivers running through the states discussed in the article below.  This information appeared in the May 2010 issue of Land Line Magazine.  If you are being limited to the amount of idling you are allowed, I suggest you take your “off duty” hours elsewhere whenever possible.  Send a message to the senators via email to these states.  Let them know how this affects the economy of their state when they create bills and laws like the ones below.  This country is dependent upon our industry to keep it running smoothly.  Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!

Proposed rules to crack down on the unnecessary idling of trucks are getting attention at statehouses around the country. OOIDA says there are concerns that need to be addressed.

Michigan bill would limit idling
A Michigan Senate bill would prohibit commercial vehicles from idling for more than 5 minutes per hour. While loading or unloading, idling would be allowed for up to 30 minutes in a 60-minute period.

Exemptions would include situations when vehicles are stuck in traffic, required by law enforcement to stop or when idling is necessary to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or “during installation of equipment, solely to prevent a safety or health emergency.”

Idling would also be permitted to power work-related mechanical or electrical operations, such as mixing or processing cargo or straight truck refrigeration.

Sen. Ray Basham, D-Taylor, the bill’s sponsor, didn’t include an exemption for extreme temperatures. The bill does, however, specify that auxiliary power units, gen sets, or other idle-reduction technology is allowed.

Violators would get off with a warning the first time. Subsequent offenses for owners or operators of locations that a truck is loading or unloading for longer than 30 minutes would result in $500 fines. Truck owners or operators found in violation of the 5-minute rule would face $150 fines.

OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer said there needs to be an industry-wide solution to appropriately address idling concerns.

“This is a challenge that requires some involvement and cooperation from all responsible parties,” Spencer told Land Line.

The bill – SB1069 – is in the Senate Transportation Committee.

Michigan isn’t the only state this year to pursue idling restrictions for large trucks. One state has adopted a new idling rule while still others sought restrictions.

West Virginia idling restriction
A new law in West Virginia applies to diesel-powered vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Starting June 11, affected vehicles will be limited to idling for no more than 15 minutes per hour.

Trucks will be exempted from the time limit rule when temperatures are lower than 40 degrees or higher than 75 degrees. The exception applies only at locations where trucks are legally permitted to park, including truck terminals, truck stops and rest areas – as long as idle-reduction technology is unavailable.

While loading or unloading, idling would be allowed for up to 15 minutes in a 60-minute period, when necessary.

Violators would face fines between $150 and $500. Responsibility for idling violations could be placed on vehicle owners, as well as operators. In addition, owners or operators of locations where vehicles load and unload also face fines for violations.

Exceptions to the rule also would include situations when vehicles are stuck in traffic, required by law enforcement to stop, or when idling is necessary “to operate defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or cargo refrigeration equipment.”

Mike Joyce, OOIDA director of legislative affairs, said that with the new idling limits in West Virginia it’s important for the state to plan for the availability of incentive programs for small-business truckers to easily purchase idle-reduction technologies.

Vermont idling restriction stalls
Time is quickly running out on an effort to end the state’s distinction as being the lone holdout in the New England region not to have idling restrictions for trucks.

With only a handful of days left in the legislative session, a bill remains in committee that would limit trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds to idling for no more than five minutes per hour. The lone temperature exception wouldn’t kick in until the thermometer dips to 0 degrees.

Citing the lack of reason lawmakers have shown with a ridiculously low temperature exception, OOIDA’s Spencer said it is “totally unworkable.” The Association issued a Call to Action early this year encouraging Vermont truckers to communicate this concern with their state lawmakers.

Wisconsin lawmakers drop pursuit of idling limits
Despite a plug from Gov. Jim Doyle, legislation to put limits on truck idling likely will have to wait until next year. Lawmakers in both chambers were unwilling to advance bills that called for restricting idling to no more than five minutes per hour.

Unlimited idling would have been allowed when temperatures are colder than 10 degrees, or hotter than 90 degrees. There was no exception included for situations when idling is necessary to operate defrosters, heaters or air conditioners to ensure the health or safety of occupants.

OOIDA Regulatory Affairs Director Joe Rajkovacz welcomed the news. He said the state was overlooking a provision that is too important.  

– By Keith Goble, state legislative editor