Neb. Governor Declares State Of Emergency To Waive Trucking Rules To Deal With Gasoline Shortages

[hatrack]

EDIT

Gov. Dave Heineman's executive order said that supplies are unusually tight, so he is waiving Nebraska Revised Statute 75-363, which deals with the hours truck drivers can stay on the state's road before they are required to take a break. Heineman's order said fuel haulers are "experiencing much longer time waiting in supply lines at all available terminals, and the extra time is creating hardship for gasoline and diesel fuel supply."

The statute, which states that truckers must take at least eight hours off after a 12-hours shift, is temporarily rescinded for 30 days. Nebraska's pump prices are second highest in the country, as of Wednesday, according to AAA. The auto club said the highest price in the country is Hawaii at $3.28 per regular gallon. Nebraska is second at $3.24 and Michigan is third at $3.23.

Truckers lined up at 2205 N. 11th in Omaha, one of the depots where fuel is loaded up and distributed to the filling stations. The Magellan Petroleum Terminal had waits of more than an hour on Wednesday.

There was no fuel at some other area terminals, including one in Lincoln. "They're running out up north, so they're coming down here or taking it from here up there," said Wynne Transport Service's John Neff.

EDIT

http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/13664168/detail.html

[liberal N proud]

1. I think I will stay off the Nebraska roads for a while

Those rules are for safety of the motorist that have to share the road with these giant rigs. Now we will have some driver whose been hauling gasoline for 36 straight hours without any sleep crash into the back end of a family on vacation or better yet a Greyhound bus.

[hatrack]

2. Four states in ten days have now declared trucking waivers

You might also want to avoid Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota.

[Javaman]

3. isn't this how the prequel to mad max started? nt

[depakid]

4. One wonders what these states will do when supplies really start drying up

and getting expensive....

[YankeyMCC]

5. Let me see if I understand the priorities

when it comes to our safety, civil rights can be tromped on but when it comes to getting stuff to the stores our safety can be stomped on.

:eyes:

[4dsc]

6. Here's the reason why..

The truth is that there are not enough truck drivers to cover loads and to find drivers with a hazmat license is getting harder to find.