Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022:
Another driver requests HOS exemption
A little over two months after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a request from owner-operator Lee Schmitt for an exemption from parts of the hours of service regulations, another truck driver’s request will open up for comments Friday, Aug. 19.
In an application for exemption to be published Friday, truck driver Ronnie Brown III takes his request farther. Unlike Schmitt, who did not request to be exempt from the 11-hour daily drive time limit, Brown is requesting a five-year exemption solely for himself from the drive time limit, as well as the 10-consecutive-hour off-duty requirement, the 14-hour driving window, and the 60 hours in seven days and 70 hours in eight days limits, along with the electronic logging device regulations.
The request states that Brown has been operating commercial motor vehicles for more than 15 years.
FMCSA said Brown’s request also states that the HOS regulations present “safety concerns” and are a “one size fits all set of rules.” His request further adds that the ELD and HOS regulations are a “control mechanism by the government” and a violation of his “constitutional right to free movement,” adding that he says he “can safely drive … no matter the amount of sleep [he] get[s] or the length of drive time.”
Comments can be made here through Sept. 17.
[Related: What if you didn't need 10 after 11 or 14 in the hours of service? This owner aims to find out]
Kentucky, Minnesota extend emergency declarations
Waivers of maximum driving time limits in the hours of service regulations for certain drivers in Kentucky and Minnesota have been extended due to ongoing emergencies in both states.
In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on Aug. 15 issued an extension of an emergency declaration due to severe weather causing flooding and damage in Eastern Kentucky and other areas.
The order extends an emergency hours of service waiver for carriers providing direct relief to the emergency. Carriers providing “vital services and supplies to the areas affected by this weather event” are exempt from maximum driving time regulations and from stopping at weigh stations.
The emergency declaration is now effective through Aug. 28.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also extended an emergency declaration this week for fuel haulers in the state. Walz said fuel terminals across the state are reporting shortages or outages of products, and drivers have experienced long wait times due to increased demand at terminals that do have available supply.
The waiver from 49 CFR Part 395.3 applies to drivers hauling gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, ethanol and biodiesel.
“We are nearing the end of the summer travel season and look ahead to the harvest season, when farmers will rely heavily on gasoline, diesel, and other fuels to complete their work,” Walz said in the extension of the declaration. The extension will remain in effect until it is rescinded or until Sept. 11, whichever is sooner.
Trucker appreciation free fuel sweepstakes runs through Sept. 17
Trucker Path, The Trucker Media Group, Sheetz and Kwik Trip/Kwik Star announced Thursday a Free Fuel Sweepstakes in support of the 2022 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW). Twenty fuel cards worth $500 each, provided by Sheetz and Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, will be given to sweepstakes winners who are active commercial vehicle drivers.
The 2022 NTDAW Free Fuel Sweepstakes is being held from Aug. 18 through Sept. 17. To be eligible to win one of 20 $500 fuel cards, drivers must have a valid CDL and a USDOT number.
The cards can be used for fuel and other items at Sheetz, Kwik Trip or Kwik Star locations. The sweepstakes is valid in all U.S. states, excluding Alaska, Florida, Hawaii and New York.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week runs from Sept. 11-17.
New Love’s adds 84 truck parking spaces in Minnesota
Love’s Travel Stops this week opened a new location in Columbus, Minnesota, off of I-35, just north of Minneapolis.
The new store offers 84 truck parking spaces, Godfather’s Pizza and Hardee’s restaurants opening at later dates, nine diesel bays, 10 showers, a Speedco and more
The Columbus location is the fourth Love’s to open in Minnesota.
