Kentucky Declares State of Emergency Regarding Severe Weather
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has announced that a State of Emergency exists within the Bluegrass State, and is lifting trucking regulations regarding just that to provide aid to needy citizens.
Details
The declaration cites a need due to:
- Tornadoes
- Severe thunderstorms
- Flash floods
- Damaging winds
As a direct result of the nasty weather, the governor is suspending some hours-of-service regulations and regulations about overweight/over-dimensional vehicles, provided that the commercial vehicles are either sending housing units or supplies directly related to the adverse weather conditions.
Presumably, the hours-of-service regulations have all the common stipulations attached. A driver who completes a delivery outside of standard hours-of-service should take a ten-hour break, and drivers who exclaim they are tired should also take a ten-hour break. These are not listed in the declaration, but are common sense safety tactics that we advise doing anyway.
The exemption regarding oversized hauling for manufactured housing is much more rigid in its writing than that of the hours-of-service regulations suspension. Commercial carriers need to apply for permits that, while presumably easier to obtain than normal, will expire at the end of the declaration. Plus, all commercial vehicles must follow designated routes to their destinations, presumably to minimize damage on roads and neighborhoods not designed to have large, heavy houses travel through them often.
Any driver operating under these extenuating circumstances must keep a copy of the Official Declaration in the vehicle’s cab, and must follow all other traffic laws and regulations. Required relief from tornadoes does not grant you the ability to drive while intoxicated and on the wrong side of the highway, and will not work as a defense in court.
Conclusion
The State of Emergency ends on June 1st, earlier if the State of Emergency is deemed to be over, or may be extended if there is a further need. As the nation enters the summer, it is possible it may also be extended due to fire season and other severe weather events correlated with the warmer months of the year. We will keep you posted if any changes worth noting arise from this event.
ABOUT TOPMARK FUNDING
TopMark Funding is a top-rated semi-truck financing and trailer financing company located in Roseville, CA. We specialize in commercial trucking and heavy equipment. Our mission is to become your long-term financial partner by helping you grow your trucking business and fleet.
We’re not here for the short-term, we’re on the long-haul with you!
We have financing options for trailers, semi-trucks, commercial trucks, and small businesses. We have great rates, low down payments, and flexible monthly payments regardless of credit history.
Learn more about Trailer Financing.
Fill out the contact form or give us a call at (866) 627-6644. One of our truck financing specialists will contact you as soon as possible to go over your truck lease needs and learn more about you and your business financing goals.
Top Trending Trucking Articles
- FMCSA COVID-19 Emergency Extended Another Three Months
- NTEA Cancels Conference, but not for the Reason You Expect
- Johnny Cash and the Distance to go Everywhere, Man
- CTA Petitions the Supreme Court
- Senate Passes INVEST in America Act
- Trucking Insurance Bill Reintroduced to Congress
- Biden Signs Executive Order on Truck Emissions
