Due to the frigid temperatures we have been experiencing this December, Pennsylvania Governor Rendell has issued a disaster emergency proclamation which was in effect until January 8, 2011. This action by the governor in turn allowed PennDOT to waive some trucking restrictions on Pennsylvania commercial drivers so that they may complete all of their heating oil and propane gas deliveries to homes and businesses.
Specifically, there are two trucking restrictions that have been waived for PA truck drivers until January 8:
1. The federal trucking requirement which mandates that transporters of goods such as heating oil take a break for rest after 11 hours behind the wheel. The number of hours truck drivers are permitted to drive under the state’s emergency status has been extended to 14.
2. The 60/70-hour limits rule. This trucking law relates to on-duty hours for truck drivers and stipulates that drivers are not to accumulate in excess of 60 or 70 on-duty hours during a consecutive 7 or 8 day work stint. That is, a truck driver working 7 consecutive days is not to exceed 60 hours of on-duty or driving time; a driver working 8 consecutive days is not to exceed 70 hours.
There are trucking laws in place for the safety of truck drivers as well as others who share the road with them. Due to this temporary suspension of PA truck driving the Bucks County personal injury lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC remind you that you many encounter potentially fatigued truck drivers of oil and gas trucks on our roadways. Fatingued truck drivers cause serious truck accidents. Remain alert of your surroundings on the road at all times and use extra caution around a trucker’s blind spots.
If injured in a Philadelphia PA truck accident, contact an experienced truck accident injury lawyer. Get the compensation you deserve.
