The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has declared a regional emergency, effective through Jan. 31, in response to severe winter storms, extremely low temperatures and high fuel demand.
These conditions create a need for the immediate transportation of heating fuel, including propane, natural gas and heating oil, the FMCSA declaration said.
❄️A winter storm has impacted the Southern U.S & continues into the Tennessee Valley, & Mid-Atlantic through Friday night. Here are some preliminary snow & ice reports associated with this event. For more reports & info, visit the latest Storm Summary at https://t.co/mSj0gRYRAc pic.twitter.com/7e0U44DLmq
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 10, 2025
This regional order covers the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia, providing regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers operating in support of emergency efforts.
Drivers and motor carriers are granted relief from maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles under this order in the affected states.
Under the emergency declaration, direct assistance is defined as transportation and other relief provided by a motor carrier or its driver incident to the immediate restoration of essential supplies or services.
Transportation related to long-term rehabilitation of damaged physical infrastructure after the initial threat to life and property has passed or routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief, do not qualify as direct assistance under this regional emergency.
Direct assistance terminates when a driver or commercial motor vehicle is used in interstate commerce to transport cargo or provide services that are not in support of emergency relief efforts related to the emergency.
When a driver is moving from relief efforts to normal operations, a 10-hour break is required if the total time a driver is engaged in relief efforts, or a combination of relief and normal operations, equals or exceeds 14 hours.
States with additional emergency declarations in place may provide additional relief for motor carriers and drivers.
As of Monday, Jan. 13, a dozen states had emergency orders still in effect due to extreme winter weather.
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