If you’ve been to the Northeast in the past few days, you’ve probably seen whole towns without power, buried under the 40 inches of snow brought by winter storm Nemo. While repairs are well under way, some families are still without power, and emergency supplies are being hauled in to help get homes repaired and heat back up and running.
The good news is that relief is getting to the people that need it as quickly as possible. The FMCSA has temporarily suspended HOS rules for drivers carrying emergency supplies, specifically fuels like propane, natural gas, and gasoline. The states that have received waivers are New York, Maine, and New Jersey.
After the initial dump of as much as 40 inches, some states were hit again with an additional snowfall only a few days later. Highways were shut down, and according to Michael Riley, president of the Motor Transport Assn. of Connecticut, the roads were so bad that even snowplows were getting stuck.
“The local roads are a mess,” Riley noted. “We’ve had snowplows get stuck…The CTDOT guys told me they couldn’t push snow anymore because of the wall of snow and they had to get payloaders to move it.”
President Obama declared a state of emergency for Connecticut and the National Guard has been assisting in most New England States.
Even though roads like I-91, I-95, and 295 are all reopened after they had sections close down, anyone driving in the area, including people carrying emergency supplies should be cautious.
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Source: overdrive, ccj, fleetowner
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larry hume says
It is safe to run over HOS when they need something but other times it is unsafe I do not understand this can someone help me.
Fireant says
What needs to be done is to suspend the H.O.S. all across America for those who possess a C.D.L. period. Let the Truck Drivers be responsible for their own actions because one size does not fit all. If they are tired let them take a nap when they want, if they feel sick let them make the decision to drive or park their trucks. Truck Drivers that have dispatchers that want the impossible, let the Driver say yes or no without recourse. If the driver gets fired or punished then FMVSA should step in and fine dispatch and these rouge companies. Bet you would find on time delivery, less accidents and less driver turnover.
Tim M. says
It is all about control, and revenue! Common sense, and safety has nothing to do with it! How is it safe for the industry to have a pay schedule that pretty much requires a 70+ week to earn a paycheck, and a lousy one at that!
larry says
i find it funny that of all the people they are suspending HOS for its the ones carrying flamable and explosive fluids. some good solid logic went into that decision.
halene says
larry ,sounds like a contradiction to me… allow for emergency vehicles to go over 70+,but any other time it unsafe and not allowed,,, but it safe if they need your help…. don’t get this one…
tophat12 says
Come on drivers put your thinking caps on. Not one single law aimed at drivers are for safety. Its all about revenue. So yes, they can suspend any rule they want to so they look like they care.
Bandit says
I didn’t think Maine likes truck drivers…hmmm. I guess their asses got cold, and now they let us run over on the HOS. It’ll be a colder day in hell than it’s been up there for me to say what they are doing is ok… It’s 50+ maybe even 60 here in Nashville today…suspend our HOS, so our guys can go get an ICEE at the pilot.