Restricciones sobre el motor en ralentí para vehículos comerciales en Carolina del Sur

Explicación Simple

Si tienes un camión grande, no puedes dejarlo encendido por más de diez minutos si está parado. Pero si hace mucho calor o frío y hay pasajeros dentro, puedes dejarlo encendido un poco más.

Es como cuando estás en casa y dejas la calefacción o el aire acondicionado encendido mientras esperas a que llegue alguien. No lo harías por mucho tiempo si estás solo, pero si tienes amigos, tal vez sí.

Ejemplo Práctico

Juan es conductor de un autobús escolar. Un día, mientras espera a que los niños suban, decide encender el motor por quince minutos para que el autobús esté cómodo. Sin embargo, si Juan estuviera parado en un semáforo, no podría dejar el motor encendido por más de diez minutos.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

SECTION 56-35-20. Idling restrictions; exceptions. (A)(1) An operator of a commercial diesel vehicle may not allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten minutes in any sixty-minute period. (2) A passenger bus may idle up to fifteen minutes in a sixty-minute period to provide heating or air conditioning when nondriver passengers are on board the vehicle. (B) A vehicle operator does not violate the idling restrictions contained in subsection (A) if he is idling: (1) a vehicle while forced to remain motionless because of traffic conditions beyond his control, an official traffic-control device or signal, or at the direction of a law enforcement official; (2) a vehicle while operating defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, cargo refrigeration equipment, or to install equipment to prevent a safety or health emergency, or as otherwise required by federal or state motor carrier safety regulations or local requirements. This exception does not apply when idling during a rest period; (3) a police, fire, ambulance, public safety, military, or other emergency or law enforcement vehicle, or any vehicle being used in an emergency capacity while in an emergency or training mode. This exception does not apply when idling for the convenience of the vehicle operator; (4) the primary propulsion engine of a vehicle for maintenance, servicing, repairing, or diagnostic purposes if idling is required; (5) a vehicle as part of a federal or state inspection to verify that all equipment is in good working order, if idling is required as part of the inspection; (6) a primary propulsion engine necessary to power work-related mechanical or electrical operations. This exception shall not apply when idling is done for cabin comfort or to operate nonessential onboard equipment; (7) an armored vehicle