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Once again the hot summer months are rapidly approaching, and yet more states have adopted anti-idling regulations. Enforcement has been increased due to budget shortfalls and the need for increased revenue. Where is the relief for the company employed truck driver?
Last January, IdleAire which was the only in-truck climate control alternative for drivers who's companies do not provide APU's has gone bankrupt and ceased operations. As usual OSHA and NIOSH seems to be ignoring the situation, and our elected officials keep signing these anti-idling laws all over the country. I can assure you that none of them sleep without heat or air conditioning. Maybe it's time to boot them out of office!
Currently the HOT political topic is "Driver Fatigue"! Ask yourself how much rest can a truck driver get while sleeping in an aluminum truck sitting in the sun with no air conditioner. There are some states that do allow idling during hot or cold weather. However others don't care about the safety or health of truck drivers at all. California does not allow a truck to idle past 5 minutes ever, no matter how hot or cold it gets. In California, it's not just a ticket, it can be treated as a major crime with civil and criminal penalties. Then you have Maricopa county in Arizona, which is one of the HOTTEST places in America - No Idling! Some cities and counties in Colorado the penalty is fines up to $1,000 and/or 1 year imprisonment. Connecticut has fines up to $5,000 but does allow you to idle if it is less than 20 degrees, but no provision for summer heat. Some other places with zero tolerance for idling during summer are, Florida (after 9-30-2013); Atlanta, GA; Maryland; Massachusetts; Missouri; Nevada; New Hampshire; New York; Texas(many cities and towns including Dallas) and Virginia (in urban areas).
There are other states that only allow idling for 5-10 minutes per hour. I guess truck drivers have to wake up every hour to cool off the truck. How ridiculous is that?
If you live in one of these places, I encourage you to contact your lawmakers and ask them to change the law and allow the idling of trucks during hot weather so the A/C can be used while a driver sleeps. A good restful sleep is the best way to fight FATIGUE!
Below there is a link for PDF files with a list of the current idling laws by state. Please take a look. If you are a trucker, download the "cab card" version and keep it with you.
Here are this year's (2010) updated idling laws by state.
Idling Laws by State (full page)
Idling Laws by State (cab card)
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