FMCSA extends emergency relief exemptions to Oct. 15

Shown above is road damage from Hurricane Ike. FMCSA says that during certain emergencies, some federal safety regulations may be suspended, including Hours of Service, for motor carriers and drivers engaged in specific aspects of the emergency relief effort.

The Trucker News Services

10/7/2008

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced today that it has extended until Oct. 15 the emergency exemptions for Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.

To provide vital supplies and transportation services to disaster areas in the U.S., emergency declarations may be issued by the President, governors of states, or FMCSA, according to the agency’s Web site.

“These declarations trigger the temporary suspension of certain federal safety regulations, including Hours of Service, for motor carriers and drivers engaged in specific aspects of the emergency relief effort,” the agency stated.

Relief from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations is limited to a maximum of 30 days, unless extended by FMCSA itself, the Web posting noted.

For more information click here.