16th Jul 10
SPearA new rule took effect this week requiring heavy-duty truckers to stop unnecessary idling of their trucks to improve North Carolina air quality.
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission implemented the rule to reduce air pollution levels in North Carolina and to meet more stringent federal air quality standards. The rule applies to gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 lbs.
Under the law, truck drivers shouldn’t idle their vehicles for more than five consecutive minutes in any 60-minute period except where health and safety concerned. For example, trucks can idle if it’s necessary to perform essential functions like refrigerating, hoisting, loading or responding to emergencies. The rule also exempts military and farm vehicles.
Many other states already have similar laws in place. Click here to see if your state has a ruling, what exemptions apply and what the fines are for non-compliance.
Seton offers No Idling Signs to post on your grounds. They remind truck operators to turn off their engines, keeping the air around your facility cleaner and healthier to breathe.
jeff
July 27th, 2010 at 07:13
This law is crazy. What do you people want from the truck drivers…… it seems to me that people want to get trucks off the road. Well I have news for everyone. If it wasn’t for us truck drives you wouldn’t have anything. Everything that you use from a day to day basis is brought to your local store via trucks. I work unloading my truck by hand to many local restaurants and if I dont keep my truck running it get upwards of 130 degeees within a matter of minutes. Its bad enough that the temperature in my area has been well over the triple digit mark. Think about the well being of others . Quit being so self centered people. Now days most trucks have a soot burning system built into the vehicle, which omits any black exhaust from exiting the vehicle. Not saying that the trucks are perfect. But hey its a start. They have even introduced the hybrid trucks..