The Expectation

Every motor carrier regulated by the U.S. DOT needs to apply a set of principles, framework, processes and measures to prevent accidents, injuries and other adverse consequences that may be caused by unsafe commercial drivers or unsafe commercial motor vehicles (CMV).

The Evaluation

Safety audits aim to see whether a passenger carrier understands safety regulations and has basic safety management controls in place. Roadside inspections are essential for assessing whether motor carriers are following safety rules. States have the primary responsibility for roadside inspections of commercial vehicle driver logbooks, driver qualifications, and vehicle condition for motor carriers.

Intervention

The FMCSA has the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program, which seeks to identify the motor carriers most in need of state inspections and federal oversight. A lack of basic safety management controls or failure to comply with one or more of the regulations set forth in FMCSA Regulation 385, will result in a notice to a new entrant that its USDOT new entrant registration will be revoked. Please review table §385.321—Violations… Read More »Intervention

A Plan for safety

The FMCSA has the authority to grant approval for motor carriers to begin operations and also can shut them down if they pose an imminent hazard or have a pattern of serious violations of safety rules. The FMCSA intermittently performs comprehensive compliance reviews that involve visiting the headquarters of a motor carrier to examine adherence to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Federal Hazardous Material Regulations. Motor carriers often receive… Read More »A Plan for safety