FMCSA Extends Emergency Declaration through Sept 14

Safety Alert

(13 August 2020)
(Click here to download a copy of the Safety Alert.) 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended its Emergency Declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic through September 14, 2020.

The declaration exempts motor carriers and drivers from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, with certain exceptions, while providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks nationwide.

The FMCSA has limited the exemption to transportation of (1) livestock and livestock feed; (2) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; (3) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; and (4) food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores.

Direct assistance means transportation and other relief services provided by a motor carrier or its driver(s) incident to the immediate restoration of essential services (such as medical care) or essential supplies related to COVID-19 during the emergency. Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying Page 2 of 3 emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.

A motor carrier whose driver is involved in a crash while operating under this emergency declaration must report any recordable crash within 24 hours, by phone or in writing, to the FMCSA Division Office where the motor carrier is domiciled. The carrier must report the date, time, location, driver, vehicle identification, and brief description of the crash.

Please click here to download a copy of the complete alert.

This GAWDA Safety Alert is issued by GAWDA Consultant Rick Schweitzer, Esq.
Please contact Rick for further information.

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