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Enforcement of Idling Limits
California environmental regulators said they are beginning to enforce the state’s five-minute idling limit for diesel-fueled commercial vehicles, including those with sleeper cabs.
Drivers seen idling for more than five minutes face a minimum fine of $300. Subsequent penalties can range from $1,000 to $10,000, according to an Oct. 9 statement from the California Air Resources Board.
“Turning these engines off should be second nature,” said CARB Chairwoman Mary Nichols. “It saves money, reduces pollution and protects the health of the driver and everyone working or living around the engines.”
Regulations that limit the idling of on-road commercial diesel-engine vehicles to five minutes have been in effect for several years, but trucks with sleepers have been covered only since January. In addition, violators who previously were issued only warning citations now face fines, said CARB spokesman Dimitri Stanich.
“The grace period is over now,” Stanich said.
Trucks in Pennsylvania will be prohibited from idling their engines for more than five minutes in a 60-minute period under a newly enacted state law.
The law applies to commercial diesel vehicles weighing more than 10,001 pounds, with exceptions for farm vehicles and motor homes. Violators face fines of $150 to $300.
The law also provides an exception for truckers who idle in order to operate cab climate-control devices when the temperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit or more than 75 degrees. This exception will expire in May 2010.
The regulations are “very strong for the trucking industry,” Jim Runk, president of Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, told Transport Topics. PMTA worked closely with lawmakers to craft the measure, and the trucking group fully supports it, he said.
Both houses of the General Assembly passed the bill Oct. 8, and Gov. Ed Rendell (D) signed it into law the next day. It takes effect Feb. 4.
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