More and more States and individual municipalities are adopting anti-idling ordinances. Truck drivers are being subjected to fines in excess of $500 dollars and more for idling. The problem is that these drivers need to keep warm or cool, depending on the region they find themselves in. Of course there is the argument that these drivers can purchase APU's and other electronic devices, however, these products can range in the thousands of dollars.
Many states advertise tax credits or grants to help offset the cost of these devices; however, funds are limited and many drivers cannot afford the upfront costs.
Maryland is the latest State to join the bandwagon. The 2010 Diesel Idle Reduction Campaign, sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and in collaboration with the District Department of the Environment the District Department of Transportation and the Maryland Department of the Environment will hold a press conference on July 13, 2010.
This press conference will be held at the Metropolitan Washington COG, Suite 300, 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.
The purpose is to improve public health, protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors to our Nation’s Capitol and the Baltimore region.
Of course, there appear to be no provisions on their agenda to improve the health and quality of life for the drivers who bring them everything that people buy for themselves.
Comments
I think it is time that drivers took a hard look in their wallets and decide not to take loads to states with anti idling laws. Get together and strike for our living comforts on the road. Pets on board are allowed better comforts than people.
IT JUST GO TO SHOW, A BUNCH OF OFFICE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO CLUE WHAT DRIVERS DO MAKING UP LAWS TO GOVERN A PART OF SOCIETY THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. LETS MAKE THEM SIT IN THEIR CARS, HOMES AND OFFICES WITHOUT HEAT AIR CONDITIONING OR ANY SORT OF COMFORT FOR ABOUT A 2 MONTH PERIOD THEN LET THEM SAY DRIVERS SHOULD DO THE SAME. MOST DRIVERS HAVE FAMILIES TO SUPPORT AND DONT HAVE THE MONEY FOR APUS AND OTHER DEVICES. AND MOST COMPANIES ARE TO CHEAP TO INSTALL THEM ON THEIR TRUCKS SO THE DRIVER IS THE ONE WHO SUFFERS NOT THE COMPANY OWNWERS OR THE GOVERMENT OF THESE STATES
I lease a truck from a company, thwy wont allow apu's. they use bunk heaters, but what about the summer? Companys who dont use or allow apu's should be the ones who get fined!! why the driver? are we supposed to not get a good rest, just so when we start driveing d.o.t. can shut us down for not be wide akwake? should fine companys and states who just want to b plain stupid.
My solution to this is VERY simple.
Anytime a driver is cited, and forced to shut his truck off, make SURE you get the officers full name. Then, when you end up on the hospital with heatstroke/frostbite, give THEIR name for where to send the bill.
Bet it will stop REAL FAST!!!
I really don't understand how anyone can tell us how to do something when they themselves have never attempted to do the same for themselves or experienced the same...I know what you are going to say well it is all political and out of our hands...Well my question would be since when has the politicians of this great country had soo much power to strip people of their God giving rights and if that is the case when was I trans or deported to 1941 Germany???
FINE ME!!!!! I WILL NOT ROAST IN SUMMER NOR FREEZE IN WINTER
ANYTHING OVER 80f OR UNDER 40 f TRUCK IDLES THATS MY LAW
i agree with everything everyone is saying i am a company driver and yes the company should have to make it so we can get the rest we need. Things to think about if it wasn't for trucks how would they get their goods to where they need them. Don't think they are looking at it that way, but if god willing they will. And for the guy who said make the office workers do with out ac or heat i agree think we should also include all the ppl in the goverment too.
yeah that is true, major brands do give out free samples of their popular health products best place to get yours is www.bit.ly/9UAtgc tell your friends and family too
Hubby and I own the truck he drives. We are leased to a major carrier. The carrier sure isn't going to furnish the APU and we sure cannot afford it. We live in California where the anti-idling craze began. Yikes!
We have been in a big rig when the AC stopped working in Phoenix, AZ. HOT was not the word for what we dealt with. We got the truck to the terminal, then grabbed a cab to a hotel while repairs were made.
THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THAT IT IS EXPENSIVE TO GET Q HOTE.
yES, IT WOULD BE A TAX DEDUCTION, BUT THE UPFRONT OUT-OF-POCKET COST CAN BE A PROBLEM -- ESPECIALLY IN THIS ECONOMY.
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