A 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.

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Taken from the Unofficial DMV Guide™, here are just a few of the more bizarre traffic, parking and driving rules from around the country.

Alabama

Apparently ‘Bama is an acronym for Blunt All Motorist Adventures, for officials there have inexplicably made it illegal to drive while blindfolded.

Alaska

Contrary to public opinion roof racks are not specifically designed for skis, snowboards and cocker spaniels. Or at least not in Alaska, where authorities have found it necessary to declare it illegal to tether a dog to the roof of a car.

Arkansas

Think twice while in Arkansas if you harbor an unflagging passion for cold cut sandwiches and honking your car horn. Arkansas authorities have deemed it illegal to blare a car horn where ice cold beverages or sandwiches are served after 9 p.m.

California

No matter how luxuriously comfortable that divided highway may look, it is illegal in Eureka, California, to use a road as a bed.

Connecticut

No need to get your Lexus Sport Luxury Sedan painted blaze orange. Hunting from cars in Connecticut is illegal, even during deer season.

Georgia

Going on an intuitive hunch that teeter-totters and cars don’t mix, officials in Dublin, Georgia, have made it illegal to drive through playgrounds.

Kentucky

Make sure your canine does not harbor a weird fetish for tailgate lights or trailer hitches while in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. You’ll be fined if your pet molests a vehicle.

Maine

Be careful about Jonesing for a Bavarian Cream while in South Berwick, Maine. You’ll be ticketed if you park in front of Dunkin Donuts.

Maryland

Keep in mind while traveling through Rockville, Maryland, that the streets there are rated G. If you possess a PG-17 vocabulary, take the bypass. Swearing from a vehicle in Rockville is considered a misdemeanor.

Missouri

If you are a horn-honking hooligan you better be carrying your vehicle’s bill of sale if you have the nerve to toot your horn while in University City, Missouri. Officials there have wisely made it illegal to honk the horn of someone else’s car.

Nevada

To prevent any literal interpretation of Reno’s No Standing signs, authorities there have made it illegal to place a bench or chair in the middle of the road.

New Jersey

Arbor Day requires careful planning in Blairstown, New Jersey, for local officials there have made it illegal to plant trees in the middle of the street.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, it is illegal to drive through a cemetery if you’re not there to dig a grave or bury someone. So if you intend to visit the grave of a loved one bring really powerful binoculars.

Ohio

In Canton, Ohio, people wearing roller skates cannot share the streets with cars. And yes, this applies even during the “couples only” skate.

Oregon

In Oregon you need to be not only alert for state troopers with speed guns, but also with stop watches. For you can be ticketed if you leave your car door open longer than is deemed necessary.

South Carolina

There’s a good reason why automakers don’t manufacture models named the Dodge Dumpster or the Lexus Litterbin. For in Hilton Head, South Carolina, it is illegal to store trash in your vehicle due to rat problems.

West Virginia

Virginia may be for lovers, but West Virginia is for meat lovers. Officials in the Mountain State have deemed it perfectly legal for anyone to scavenge road kill.

If you have traffic and parking rules you need to enforce in your area, consider signs from Seton to convey your message.  Seton offers a wide variety of traffic and parking signs for roadside, driveways and parking lots.

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Spring and summer are the driving seasons for teens. With proms, graduations and vacation outings teens are on the road more than any other time of the year.  National Youth Traffic Safety Month is observed each May in an effort to educate, engage and empower teens and their parents to practice safe driving and to encourage their friends to do the same.

Safe Driving Tips for Teens

• Limit passengers: Too many people in the car can be distracting for new drivers.
• Know your car: It’s important to know ahead of time where your controls are and how they work. This includes headlights, wipers and turn signals. Fumbling for unfamiliar controls can cause accidents.
• No calls, no texts: If you absolutely have to call or text, safely pull over to the side of the road first or ask your passenger to do it for you.

Safe Driving Tips for Parents

• Know when they’re ready: Don’t force teens to drive if they’re uncomfortable with the idea. On the other hand, don’t let teens coerce you to let them drive if you think they’re not mature enough to handle the responsibility.
• Teens need practice: It’s important teens practice under your supervision as much as possible for you to give feedback. Practice all driving scenarios including crosswalk safety, school bus safety, railroad crossing safety and how to yield.
• Lead by example: Follow the rules of the road and teens are likely to do the same.  Stop at all stop signs, observe speed limit signs and adhere to all parking sign regulations.

To learn more about National Youth Traffic Safety Month visit NOYS.

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Watching the news the other day, I saw a story that’s causing quite a stir. Oklahoma lawmakers recently passed a bill that allows pregnant women to get a temporary handicapped parking sticker and to park in handicapped parking spaces.

Should pregnant women be considered disabled and be allowed to park in handicapped parking spaces? Taking an unofficial poll of my family members and friends I discovered strong arguments for both sides.

My friend, pregnant with twins, says that pregnancy is not a disability. But it can cause disabilities (even though temporary) like mobility and breathing problems. She welcomes a law that let’s pregnant women qualify for handicapped parking privileges.

My sister’s third trimester was tough. Her back hurt, her feet were swollen and she had trouble walking – but she didn’t consider herself disabled. In her opinion, people should make accommodations for pregnant women out of kindness, not law.

My concern is about the shortage and abuse of handicapped parking spots. Often there aren’t enough handicapped spots available. Combine that with the scoundrels who park in handicapped spots without a legitimate placard and it’s even worse. Add pregnant women to the list of people vying for one of these spots and it’s the disabled people who suffer.

I think I like the kindness option the best. Help a pregnant woman by offering her your seat on the bus or carry her bags for her. And if you’re a business owner, why not post some Expectant Mother Parking Signs in your lot in addition to the Handicapped Parking Signs mandated by ADA regulations?

What do you think? Should there be a law allowing pregnant women to park in handicapped spaces?

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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  The summer riding season is here and it’s time to remind car and truck drivers they’re sharing the road with motorcycles.  According to NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration), 5,290 motorcyclists were killed and 96,000 more were injured in 2008.  Drivers -  be on the lookout for motorcycles and take care when driving near them.

But Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is more than just warning drivers to be cautious of motorcycles. It’s also a time to promote motorcycle rider responsibility. Things like proper licensing, responsible riding habits and diligent motorcycle maintenance go a long way in increasing motorcycle rider safety.

Here are some top maintenance tips for motorcycle safety:

• Check tire pressure regularly. Under inflated tires can make lane changes or emergency maneuvers dangerous.
• Inspect tire tread wear. Tires with tread wear or flat spots make the bike harder to turn.
• Clean and lubricate chains. A broken chain can make a driver lose control of the bike while driving.
• Check belts. A broken belt can cause loss of power and loss of control of the bike.
• Inspect and replace brakes before they fail completely. Don’t wait until you have no braking power at all.
• Adjust shocks for rider and passengers. Not enough spring tension and the bike drags on the ground. Too much and the rear end skips and bounces, causing loss of control.
• Replace halogen headlights before they fail. Halogen light emitted from headlights decrease over time. Replace headlight bulbs every 1-2 years to get maximum light output and maximum visibility.

For additional information on motorcycle safety, visit NHTSA.

Seton offers Motorcycle Parking Signs to give motorcyclists a safe place to park in your parking lot.

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Today is Teacher’s Day – a day to honor your teachers and thank them for the contributions they’ve made to your lives. Traditionally students, school boards and school administrators often show appreciation to their teachers with token gifts.

But why limit teacher appreciation to just one day – or even a week? And why not give something more practical and longer-lasting than the standard shiny red apple? In many communities, teachers are honored with special school parking spaces designated with reserved parking signs customized just for them.

Most teachers enjoy having a special spot to park and if the space is close to the building, appreciate not having to walk as far with heavy loads of books and other school supplies.

To order reserved parking signs for your teachers click here.

Just for fun, here’s some famous people who used to be teachers and whose names could have appeared on a “Reserved For Teacher” Parking Sign.

Sting was an elementary school teacher for two years before moving on to his music career.  He wrote songs while his students were taking tests.

Mr. T. was a gym teacher in Chicago in the mid-1970s before joining television’s THE A-TEAM.

Stephen King was a high school English teacher in Maine before becoming a best-selling author.  He wrote short stories to supplement his teacher’s salary.

Gene Simmons was an elementary school teacher in New York before teaming up with Paul Stanley and forming the rock band KISS.

Click here to learn more about National Teachers Day.

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