§ 39:9-2 — Hours of duty limited; hours off duty; emergencies.

39:9-2. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, or to require or permit any person to operate, any commercial motor vehicle weighing 26,000 pounds or less that is operated exclusively in intrastate commerce after the operator has been continuously on duty for a longer period than 12 hours, or after the operator has been on duty for more than 12 hours in the aggregate during any 16 consecutive hours. When the operator has been continuously on duty for 12 hours or has been on duty for 12 hours in the aggregate during any 16 consecutive hours, that person shall have at least 10 consecutive hours off duty. The periods of release from duty provided for in this section shall be spent at a place and under circumstances where rest and relaxation from the strain of the duties of driving may be obtained; provided, however, that in case of accident or emergency, the operator of a commercial motor vehicle may complete his run or tour of duty, and neither the operator nor the person who requires or permits that person to drive for a longer period shall be deemed to have violated the provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall apply to a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or a vehicle used in the transportation of hazardous materials and required to be placarded in accordance with 49 CFR s.172.500 et seq., or a vehicle that displays a hazardous materials placard. Amended 2004, c.97, s.2.