Division 14.3. Transportation Of Inhalation Hazards of California Vehicle Code >> Division 14.3.

It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this division, to create a special category of inhalation hazards and poison gases and to establish special safeguards for their transportation. These materials are highly toxic, spread rapidly, and require rapid and widespread evacuation if there is loss of containment or a fire. For these reasons, the Legislature intends to more rigorously restrict and otherwise control the transportation of these materials.

This division applies to the transportation of inhalation hazards in bulk packaging, except when that packaging contains only residue.

As used in this division:
  (a) "Inhalation hazard" means any material defined as "Poison A" pursuant to Section 173.326 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations or for which a "Poison-Inhalation Hazard" or "Inhalation Hazard" shipping paper description is required pursuant to Section 172.203 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
  (b) "Bulk packaging" means the same as defined in Section 171.8 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
  (c) "Residue" means the same as defined in Section 171.8 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
  (d) "Inspection stop" means any location designated as such in regulations adopted pursuant to this division or any safe stopping place.
  (e) "Safe parking place" means any loading or unloading facility or motor carrier terminal where the driver may safely and lawfully park and leave the vehicle unattended when authorized by the owner or person in charge of the facility or terminal.
  (f) "Safe stopping place" means any place designated by the department pursuant to this division where a driver may stop for food, fuel, or any other necessary reason, provided the vehicle is attended at all times. A vehicle is "attended" when the driver or person in charge of it is awake and occupies any part of it except the sleeper berth, or is within 100 feet of the vehicle and has an unobstructed view of it.

(a) The department may adopt any regulations that are necessary to administer this division. It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate this division or regulations adopted pursuant to this division.
  (b) The department shall, by regulation, designate through routes in this state which are to be used for the transportation of inhalation hazards. The department may also designate separate through routes for the transportation of inhalation hazards composed of any chemical rocket propellant specified in Section 32050. The Department of Transportation shall assist the department in developing the recommended routes. The department shall hold public hearings in each field operation division of the department in which are located proposed routes. In recommending the through routes, the department shall do both of the following:
  (1) Perform a risk assessment which shall include, but not be limited to, consideration of the population density, capabilities of the emergency response personnel near the proposed routes, and the safety of the roadways.
  (2) Consult with officials having the responsibility for the prevention and suppression of fire in communities in which are located the proposed routes, the representatives of persons engaged in the transportation of inhalation hazards, manufacturers of inhalation hazards, and the State Fire Marshal.
  (c) The department shall prepare for distribution to persons engaged in the transportation of inhalation hazards maps which clearly indicate the routes which are to be used for the transportation of inhalation hazards.
  (d) The department shall prepare for distribution to persons engaged in the transportation of inhalation hazards a list of locations of required inspection stops and safe stopping places and shall revise the list to keep it current.
  (e) Until other routes are designated by the department for the transportation of chemical rocket propellants pursuant to subdivision (b), the designated through routes for the transportation of chemical rocket propellants to Vandenberg Air Force Base shall be those routes designated in the letter of agreement between the department and the United States Department of the Air Force executed in 1992.

(a) Every motor carrier shall make available in each vehicle used in the transportation of inhalation hazards the latest map showing the routes to be used for the transportation of inhalation hazards and a list of the safe stopping places and inspection stops for vehicles transporting inhalation hazards as prescribed by regulations of the department. The carrier shall require that the driver be thoroughly familiar with this division before operating any vehicle in the transportation of inhalation hazards.
  (b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1992.

(a) It is unlawful for the motor carrier or its authorized agent to drive or to permit the driving of any vehicle transporting inhalation hazards, or for the driver to drive the vehicle, upon any public highway not designated in regulations adopted by the department as a route for the transportation of inhalation hazards. This subdivision shall not apply when the use of the highway is required (1) to permit delivery of, or the loading of, inhalation hazards at a point not on a highway designated as a route for the transportation of inhalation hazards, or (2) to permit the vehicle to proceed to, and return from, an inspection stop, safe stopping place, or safe parking place.
  (b) It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle transporting inhalation hazards to stop at any place other than a safe stopping place, safe parking place, or an inspection stop unless the vehicle is disabled or except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the orders of a peace officer or an official traffic control device.
  (c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1992.

(a) Unless there is no practicable alternative, every driver of a vehicle transporting inhalation hazards shall avoid, by prearrangement of routes, driving into or through heavily populated areas, congested thoroughfares, or places where crowds are assembled. Operating convenience is not a basis for determining whether it is practicable to operate a vehicle in accordance with this subdivision.
  (b) No vehicle transporting inhalation hazards shall be left unattended upon any street or highway.
  (c) Inspection of the following items of equipment shall be made immediately preceding the actual transportation of an inhalation hazard:
  (1) Brakes and the brake system.
  (2) Steering, connection devices, and lighting systems.
  (3) All tires.
  (4) All supplemental equipment as required by Section 32106.
  (d) En route inspection of tires and brakes on vehicles transporting inhalation hazards shall be performed at the following locations:
  (1) At an inspection stop at least every four hours or 150 miles traveled, whichever occurs first, or as close thereto as is practicable, depending upon the proximity of those inspection stops.
  (2) Regardless of elapsed time or miles traveled, at the top of and prior to descending any grade upon which the Department of Transportation has declared a speed limit for trucks of less than 55 miles per hour as provided by Section 22407. The inspection shall be made off the roadway.
  (3) Regardless of elapsed time or miles traveled, at any location designated in regulations of the department as a required inspection stop.
  (e) (1) Every person operating a vehicle transporting an inhalation hazard shall complete a record of every inspection which is required pursuant to this section in the form approved by the department showing the time and place of every inspection.
  (2) The record of every inspection shall be made at the time the inspection is conducted.
  (3) The person making the inspection shall certify the fact in the record.
  (f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1992.

Every vehicle used in the transportation of an inhalation hazard, in addition to any other equipment required by law, shall be equipped and maintained as required by this section.
  (a) Brakes and the brake system shall be maintained in good and safe operating condition.
  (b) Steering, connection devices, and lighting systems shall be maintained in good operating condition.
  (c) All tires shall be in good condition, properly matched and inflated. Except as may be necessary to cause immediate replacement, no vehicle shall be driven unless all tires in actual use on the vehicle are properly inflated.
  (d) Fire extinguishers and other safety equipment prescribed by regulations adopted by the department pursuant to Section 34501 shall be carried in each vehicle or combination of vehicles.

Every vehicle, or combination of vehicles, transporting an inhalation hazard shall contain a self-contained breathing apparatus and equipment capable of immediate communication with emergency personnel.

Nothing in this division exempts any vehicle transporting inhalation hazards and subject to this division, or the owner or any other person, from other provisions of this code. All those other provisions relating to the driving and movement of vehicles, and the size, weight and equipment thereof, shall apply as applicable to each and every vehicle engaged in transporting inhalation hazards subject to this division.