NOVEMBER 17, 2003

East Lansing.  Michigan has adopted the new Cargo Securement and Hours of Service regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The cargo securement regulations are effective on January 1, 2004, and the hours of service regulations become effective January 4, 2004.  The new laws are designed to ensure that fatigued drivers and unsafe loads stay off the highways.

The new cargo securement regulations establish specific standards for various types of cargo, including coiled metal, boulders, crushed cars, logs and concrete pipe, dressed lumber and building products, paper rolls and other items.  The cargo securement regulations are the result of a six-year study, called North American Cargo Securement Standard Model Regulations, involving various state and federal agencies and industry groups from both Canada and the United States.  The regulations take effect in Canada in July 2004.

Under the new hours of service regulations, a driver may drive 11 hours, an increase of one hour from the old regulations.  However, all drivers must take an additional 2 hours of rest each day, as the off-duty time has increased to 10 consecutive hours.  Also, drivers are prohibited from driving after being on-duty for 14 hours, regardless of their duties during those 14 hours.

The federal regulations may be obtained at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.  The North American Cargo Securement Standard Model Regulations may be obtained at www.ab.org/ccmta. 

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.