U.S. Suspends Truck-Driving Limits to Speed Coronavirus Shipments

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, Trainorders:

Eastern Railroad Discussion > Feds suspend Hours of Service for truckers hauling medical goods

Date: 03/14/20 18:57
Feds suspend Hours of Service for truckers hauling medical goods
Author: Lackawanna484

The Wall Street Journal reports the Department of Transportation has suspended hours of service rules for truck drivers hauling food, medical supplies, disinfectants, and other products directly related to the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension does not apply to drivers hauling mixed cargo which includes medical supplies among other not covered products.

The national emergency declaration applies to carriers providing direct assistance to relief efforts tied to the coronavirus pandemic, such as moving medical supplies and equipment to test, diagnose and treat Covid-19. It also applies to those hauling goods to help prevent its spread, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectants.Drivers transporting “food for emergency restocking of stores” are also covered by the declaration.It also applies to motor carriers moving medical and emergency services providers, people needed to set up and manage temporary housing and quarantine facilities, and people being moved for medical, isolation or quarantine purposes, the agency said.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-suspends-truck-driving-limits-to-speed-coronavirus-shipments-11584200091?mod=hp_minor_pos13

Date: 03/15/20 04:45
Re: Feds suspend Hours of Service for truckers hauling medical go
Author: Theowhitey

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/us-department-transportation-issues-national-emergency-declaration-commercial-vehicles

LOGISTICS REPORT
U.S. Suspends Truck-Driving Limits to Speed Coronavirus Shipments
The move comes as hospitals report shortages and retailers and manufacturers strain under surging demand

By Jennifer Smith
https://twitter.com/jensmithWSJ
March 14, 2020 11:34 am ET

U.S. highway-safety regulators are suspending rules that limit daily driving hours for truck drivers moving emergency supplies such as medical equipment, hand sanitizer and food in response to the nationwide coronavirus outbreak.

The Transportation Department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced the nationwide exemption late Friday, following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency over the pandemic.

The move “will help America’s commercial drivers get these critical goods to impacted areas faster and more efficiently,” FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen said.

It comes as hospitals report shortages of medical masks and as retailers and manufacturers are straining under surging demand for everything from hand sanitizer to staples such as toilet paper and rice. As anxious consumers stockpile goods, grocers have turned to rationing, imposing purchase limits on disinfectant wipes, cleaning supplies and other high-demand products.

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Write to Jennifer Smith at [e-mail]

US Department of Transportation Issues National Emergency Declaration for Commercial Vehicles Delivering Relief in Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak

Friday, March 13, 2020

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to the nationwide coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This declaration is the first time FMCSA has issued nation-wide relief and follows President Trump issuing of a national emergency declaration in response to the virus.

“Because of the decisive leadership of President Trump and Secretary Chao, this declaration will help America’s commercial drivers get these critical goods to impacted areas faster and more efficiently. FMCSA is continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus outbreak and stands ready to use its authority to protect the health and safety of the American people,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen.

FMCSA’s declaration provides for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for:

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[Boxerfan]

1. Hell-lets give em some Gov't issued speed while we are at it.

They did that for bomber crews (Sarc)

[3Hotdogs]

2. Tired drivers cause accidents

So put a driver on 80,000 pounds of truck. Add a few who are infested with virus, cold or all American flu and watch highway death rate go up,


But not to worry. Truck lobby has been pushing this for years.