The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Monday it has received three requests for exemption from various hours of service regulations.
The American Bakers Association and International Dairy Foods Association filed a joint petition requesting a reprieve from maximum driving time requirements for drivers delivering baked goods and milk products during periods and in areas anticipated to be impacted by a natural disaster or emergency situation.
The two groups proposed that the exemption would only apply during periods of disaster preparation in anticipation of disaster conditions, noting that it would allow them to exempt out of certain hours rules before an official state of emergency is declared. They add that the requested exemption “should allow suppliers to use reasonable judgement based on early warning announcements, such as hazardous weather announcements.” Additionally, ABA and IDFA say experience has shown that HOS restrictions “often become a limiting factor at the expense of effective emergency preparations.”
FMCSA is seeking public comment on the request through Jan. 17.
The Association of American Railroads and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (AAR/ASLRRA) also requested an exemption from the maximum drive time regulations. The groups say the exemption would enable railroad employees to respond to unplanned events that occur outside or extend beyond normal work hours.
Specifically, the groups are asking FMCSA to allow railroad employees responding to derailments, rail failures, train collisions, storm-related events and more to be exempt from the 14-hour driving rule and the 60- and 70-hour limits in 7 and 8 days, respectively.
The groups say employees use commercial vehicles as mobile supply facilities, transporting personnel, equipment and material for the driver to use at worksites.
