Total Solar Eclipse Safety; New York and Vermont Eclipse Advisories for CMVs 

The Eclipse 

Large areas of the United States are preparing for a total solar eclipse, in which the moon passes between the sun and the Earth causing darkness. On April 8, the path of totality will begin at Mexico’s Pacific Coast and traverse through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. According to NASA, the eclipse will also pass through Southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. A searchable map of impacted cities, with eclipse start and end times on April 8, can be found by clicking here.

Except during the total phase of the total solar eclipse, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized protection. Safety tips from NASA are available by clicking here. The American Automobile Association issued several recommendations for drivers including keeping vehicle headlights on, putting sun visors down to block the sun, and to be mindful of pedestrians who may be focused on the sky.

New York

On April 2, Director Clifford Thomas of the State of New York Department of Transportation’s Office of Modal Safety and Security signed Case #27647 regarding trucking hours of service, attached to this message. Effective from April 6 until April 10 of 2024, the State of New York Department of Transportation has instituted hours of service exemptions for fuel haulers due to travel impacts caused by a solar eclipse. Due to the possibility of petroleum delivery impediments from the eclipse, the State of New York Department of Transportation is temporarily modifying 17 NYCRR 820.6 as follows:

• The 70-hour maximum on duty period in 8 days is modified to be 84 hours.
• The 60-hour maximum on duty period in 7 days is modified to be 74 hours.
• The 14-hour maximum workday is modified to be 16 hours. An 8 hour off duty period must be taken to reset the 16 hour provision. 
• The 34-hour restart provision is modified to be 24 hours. Carriers may utilize a 24-hour off duty period that occurred prior to April 2.
• On-duty time for the purposes of computation of the 60/70 or 14 hour rules shall not include time spent waiting in a commercial motor vehicle while on the property of a shipper or carriers, loading point, unloading point, or terminal immediately subsequent to or preceding loading/unloading operations. 

Additional rules and restrictions apply. The driver does not need to carry a copy of the declaration when exercising this temporary relief. This declaration does not apply to the Interstate Highway System.

Vermont

Vermont’s Agency of Transportation has issued a Commercial Vehicle Traffic Advisory for April 8, 2024. Traffic is expected to be heavy in the state, and the Department of Motor Vehicles is urging commercial drivers through Vermont to consider alternative delivery dates and routes to avoid expected traffic increases. The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles will not issue size and weight permits for April 8. Additional information is available by clicking here.

Other Declarations

 Several states and localities within (but not limited to) Texas, Ohio, Kentucky, and Canada have issued warnings and declarations pertaining to the eclipse, but do not have specific provisions regarding commercial vehicles. NTTC staff will monitor emergency declarations and broadcast updates when available.