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9.6 Hazardous Materials — Driving & Parking (CFR Part 397 Motor Carrier Regulations)

Never park with Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (Class A or B) explosives within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road. Except for short periods of time needed for vehicle operation necessities (e.g. fueling), do not park within 300 feet of:

• a bridge, tunnel or building;
• a place where people gather; or
• an open fire.

If you must park to do your job, do so only briefly.

Do not park on private property unless the owner is aware of the danger. Someone must always watch the parked vehicle. You may let someone else watch it for you only if your vehicle is on the:

• shipperʼs property,
• carrierʼs property, or
• consigneeʼs property.

You may leave your vehicle unattended in a safe haven. A safe haven is an approved place for parking unattended vehicles loaded with explosives. Local authorities usually make the designation of authorized safe havens.

Parking Placarded Vehicle Not Transporting Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 Explosives

You may park a placarded vehicle (not laden with explosives) within 5 feet of the travelled part of the road only if your work requires it. Do so only briefly. Someone must always watch the vehicle when parked on a public roadway or shoulder. Do not uncouple a trailer and leave it with hazardous material on a public street. Do not park within 300 feet of an open fire.

Attending Parked Vehicles

The person watching a placarded vehicle must:

• Be in the vehicle awake, not in the sleeper berth , or within 100 feet of the vehicle and have it within clear view,
• Be aware of the hazards of the materials being transported,
• Know what to do in emergencies, and
• Be able to move the vehicle if needed.

No Flares

You may break down and have to use stopped vehicle signals. Use reflective triangles or red electric lights. Never use burning signals, such as flares or fuses, around:

• A tank used for Class 3 (flammable liquids) or Division 2.1 (flammable gas) whether loaded or empty.
• A vehicle loaded with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 (Class A or B) explosives.

Route Restrictions

Some states and counties require permits to transport hazardous materials or waste. They may limit the routes you can use. Local rules about routes and permits change often. It is your job as driver to find out if you need permits or must use special routes. Make sure you have all needed papers before starting.

If you work for a carrier, ask your dispatcher about route restrictions or permits. If you are an independent trucker and are planning a new route, check with state agencies where you plan to travel. Some localities prohibit transportation of hazardous materials through tunnels, over bridges or other roadways. Check before you start.

Whenever placarded, avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets and alleys. Take other routes, even if inconvenient, unless there is no other way. Never drive a placarded vehicle near open fires unless you can safely pass without stopping.

If transporting Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (Class A or Class B) explosives, you must have a written route plan and follow that plan. Carriers prepare the route plan in advance and give the driver a copy. You may plan the route yourself if you pick up the explosives at a location other than your employerʼs terminal. Write out the plan in advance. Keep a copy of it with you while transporting the explosives. Deliver shipments of explosives only to authorized persons or leave them in locked rooms designed for explosives storage.

A carrier must choose the safest route to transport placarded radioactive material. After choosing the route, the carrier must tell the driver about the radioactive materials and show the route plan.