CA idling law??? Tickets? Enforcement??

It is... last meeting I attended, about 2 weeks ago.. I was sitting in the back with TEARS rolling down my face! I was trying so blasted hard not to laugh at Moron One and Moron Two trying to out-lawyer each other! Let me tell you, the ######## gets DEEP in there! Any more, and we'd be able to spread it out over the entire Santa Ynez Valley! (Wouldn't those roses be beautiful!)

I'm trying my best to make a difference, and make them listen, but the biggest issue is the drivers themselves! Most will not listen to me when I try to tell them exactly what the laws are, and so take it as no big deal. None of them will stand up and fight like they should. No one will take the time to write a letter, and few show up at the meetings or workshops..

 

Im afraid that we as drivers would only be ignored. Who cares about what we think? I also dont know how much weight they(CARB) would put to our comments if we live out of the state. If they made the fines go to the owner of the truck( ie big companies) maybe then THEY would fight this too. But as long as the ticket goes to the driver, what do they care? The big wigs go home each nite in air conditioned cars to air conditioned houses just like the CARB board members. "Hey, you didnt have to idle". Too many people only think of themselves. As hard as it is supposed to be to find GOOD drivers youd think more co's would do more to keep the ones they have! Definetley on eof my biggest complaints about my co so far, no APU's on the trucks regularily running CA.

 

I wish I knew how to reply to this. I think you're right about what would happen if the ticket went to the company, with one exception.. I think that most companies would make it grounds for being fired.

Drivers not getting involved makes my job harder! I go to these meetings and get told CARB members that "The drivers obviously don't care. Why should you?"

 

Just take your dog along when you go to CA. The animal-protection laws won't let you endanger your pet by keeping him locked in a hot truck. You'd have to run the AC for his own good, right?

Think it would work?

 

There are no such exemptions in the California law or any other states. One driver received a ticket for idling with his 7 year old daughter on board. Such thoughts are what make truckstop legends.

 

Keep up the good work.
How can a driver even begin to show up. They might live in other states or be on the road. Sounds like there are some bright people at CARB.

I wonder who tells them when it is time to go home?

 

The thing that is most important is the safety issue. We truckers have a hard time getting adequate rest when it's extremely hot or cold in our trucks. That is a fact. I minimize my idle time whenever possible, but there's times when you simply have to idle to get good, restful sleep. I worry about the general motoring public and we truckers, when the inevitable happens; a trucker falls asleep at the wheel and gets in a serious wreck from not getting adequate sleep. And we can't always afford a motel, or can get to a motel, as we run out of hours in the middle of nowhere at times. Does anybody know if California is actively enforcing the idle law??

 

I think there needs to be a CARB adjustment here!. California is a powerful state. Along with trying to improve air quality why can't they help fight for laws requiring that trucks are built to come standard with an APU (well, some type that meets the requirements, anyway) or something to help the drivers stay cool and pollute less.

I am confused about the non-programmable engine shutdown system that they are requiring 08 trucks to have on them. Are they saying that, no matter what(unless you meet a stringent oxides of nitrogen idling emission standard) your truck if built in 08 will automatically shut down after five minutes if you are stopped in California?


As Cybergal has mentioned in The Garage section of this forum, MACK engines are being built with lower grams of Nitrogen Oxide. Although this is only a drop in the bucket, it's a start. Is anyone hearing about other solutions, that haven't been mentioned on this forum?



[QUOTE Mack Develops Low NOx Solution for CARB Idling Restrictions
Customers now have the option to specify "Idle Emission Certification - CARB 08" for Mack MP Series engines built after January 1, 2008. This feature means the truck's engine has been certified to meet the 30 gram/hour NOx limit.
[/quote] http://www.macktrucks.com/default.aspx?pageid=2387



OBVIOUSLY engine makers, trucking companies and O/O's are going to have to make some changes. I hope the companies do the right thing and work harder towards making their drivers more comfortable. I could probably post a lot more of information on here regarding what could happen (lawsuits ahem) if drivers are found dead because of heat strokes. I'll just post a link for the second stage for now, since it seems this is the stage of where drivers are at in California. NEXT - Heat Stroke!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-exhaustion/DS01046


Stay safe drivers!

 

I spend a considerable amount of time every week at California produce coolers and truck stops and have yet to see any one of the many idling trucks get a ticket. YMMV.

 

The question might not be, "Is California enforcing the law?" but "How many 08 trucks are out there shutting down on drivers, forcing them to "heat up" or get out. My spouse saw one truck with the compliant sticker on front of hood. Must not be that many out there yet.

Are these the trucks with the engine that shuts down after five minutes? Are they seriously going through with this? I remember reading that grants were given and engine manufacturers complied and now they are second-thinking it.