The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a Regional Emergency Declaration for North Dakota and South Dakota, extending the hours-of-service suspension for carriers providing drought relief to the states.
The emergency declaration allows truckers hauling hay, feed, livestock, supplies and equipment into or from South Dakota and North Dakota, or providing other emergency services, to be exempt from hours-of-service regulations.
FMCSA clarifies that the suspension of regulations doesn’t allow truckers to drive when their ability or alertness is impaired through fatigue or illness. The declaration also does not apply to size and weight regulations, CDL requirements, insurance requirements or other regulations.
The emergency declaration for the two states is in effect until emergency conditions end, or through Aug. 26, whichever is less.
Earlier in July, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts issued an emergency declaration for carriers participating in drought relief efforts in the Dakotas through Aug. 9.
North Carolina temporarily suspends regs for Outer Banks power outage
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper last week issued an executive order, suspending certain trucking regulations for those transporting essentials to the Outer Banks islands of Hatteras and Ocracoke. The order notes the power outage “could extend for weeks,” prompting the emergency declaration.
