New FMCSA Policy Could Ramp Up Truck Deliveries During COVID-19
To speed up deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration decided to remove its limit on how many hours truckers could be on the road. Instead of the standard 11-hours per workday, truck drivers carrying “essential” goods can now drive as long as they feel comfortable.
More...
Members of the FMCSA hope this new policy will help address supply shortages at grocery stores and medical centers. Increasing average trucking hours could also provide patients with timely COVID-19 test results.
It’s important to note, however, this new policy only affects truck drivers who are carrying goods that the FMCSA deems “essential.” This includes most medical supplies, including disinfectant wipes, surgical masks, and hand sanitizers. Truckers that are carrying COVID-19 testing materials are also allowed to operate over the 11-hour limit.
If a truck is only carrying food, it could fit the FMCSA’s new policy, especially if it’s going to a market that’s experiencing shortages. Trucks that have a mix of essential and non-essential goods, however, must abide by the FMCSA’s 11-hour standard.
Because there are fewer cars on the highways, the FMCSA felt confident its new policy wouldn’t put drivers at risk. If you happen to be traveling near a truck, safety officials encourage you to leave a generous amount of space, just as you would in normal circumstances.
The primary concern FMCSA members have has to do with trucker fatigue. To help prevent this precarious scenario, the FMCSA encourages truck drivers to call a superior whenever they need a break. Carriers must give tired truck drivers at least 10 hours off the road.
In its 20-year history, the FMCSA has never removed its 11-hour cap across the USA. In the past, local authorities only lifted this hourly limit temporarily to assist in natural disaster recovery efforts.
To find out more about the FMCSA’s latest policies, you can click this link to the department’s COVID-19 webpage.
Related Posts
Are Dodge Chargers Expensive to Fix?
Fleet Fuel Cards for Optimal Car or Truck Expense Tracking
Top Simple Ways to Improve the Look of Your Car
A look under the hood of Waymo robotaxis
What are toll roads, and how to pay the tolls?