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Sep 6, 2005 2:48 PM

In letters to the governors of the states ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, Bill Graves, American Trucking Associations president, advised the state leaders of steps to take to assist the trucking industry in expediting shipments to the area:

•Ensure that motor carrier safety enforcement personnel are aware that as a result of the Presidential Declaration of Emergency, truck drivers transporting goods as part of the relief effort are exempt from federal hours-of-service regulations and various other requirements, pursuant to federal regulations in Title 49 CFR 390.23.

•Authorize use of heavier vehicles.

•Direct oversize and overweight permitting office to expedite the permitting process for loads that are intended to aid in the relief effort.

•Waive requirements for the purchase of trip permits for registration and fuel tax for motor carriers.

•Give some leniency to drivers who are residents of these states who hold recently expired commercial driver licenses.

•Monitor fuel prices throughout the state to avoid price gouging and advise attorneys general to enforce rules.

•Instruct weight enforcement personnel to give trucks a minimal weight tolerance to allow for fuel weight.

• If federal agencies waive federal fuel taxes for off-road diesel fuel purchases, take steps to ensure that all state measures necessary for implementation are in place.