The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended emergency regulatory relief for truckers responding to flooding in Texas, following a two-week emergency declaration issued by Governor Greg Abbott in response to heavy rainfall and flash flooding last month.
The extension waives maximum driving-time regulations under 49 CFR 395.3 for drivers and motor carriers transporting food, fuel and water into counties affected by the flooding. The relief is valid through August 11 or until the emergency ends, whichever comes first.
Abbott's original emergency declaration expired July 28. At the state's request, FMCSA granted a two-week extension because flooding conditions had not fully subsided. The waiver applies regardless of where a given trip originates, as long as the carrier or driver is providing direct assistance tied to the flooding emergency.
FMCSA noted the relief does not cover transportation related to long-term rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure once the immediate threat to life and property has passed. It also excludes routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads that add only a nominal amount of qualifying emergency relief cargo to obtain the waiver's benefits.
Emergency declarations of this kind are a recurring tool FMCSA uses to keep supply lines open during natural disasters, giving carriers added flexibility on hours of service while regions recover from severe weather.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal -- https://www.ccjdigital.com/maintenance/article/15831508/paccar-recalls-nearly-6k-kenworth-peterbilt-trucks-built-this-summer