The US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration declared a motor carrier in Texas an imminent hazard. The FMCSA ordered the motor carrier to cease all interstate and intrastate operations due to public safety issues. FMCSA served a federal order to the motor carrier on May 31, 2022.
Why was the original order issued?
The day FMCSA issued a federal order to the motor carrier, a truck violated the order. The company then gave the driver a number for the texas motor carrier to finish the delivery. The FMCSA’s initial review of the motor carrier saw an increase of commercial semi-truck accidents. The company wasn’t complying with several federal regulations, including controlled substances and alcohol use and testing. The company didn’t care about driver qualifications, hours of service and the commercial driver’s license standards. The trucks had fewer inspections, repairs and maintenance, and drivers were driving unsafe.
Why was the new order issued?
The Texas motor carrier was operating for another motor carrier with a federal order against them. The Original order from May 7, 2022, said they couldn’t continue operating under a new person or company. They did continue by using common ownership, management, control and relationships.
What are the penalties for ignoring the order?
The FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order has serious civil penalties of up to $29,893 for each violation. The motor carrier may assess $11,956 in civil penalties for providing interstate commerce transportation operating authority registration. The penalties for operating a CMV in interstate commerce without USDOT Number registration are up to $16,864. It’s criminal anytime a person or company knowingly violates a federal order.
The FMCSA imminent hazard out-of-service order states that the motor carrier increases the likelihood of serious death or injury every time they ignore federal safety regulations. Discontinuing the operations increases the safety of other drivers. Both motor carrier companies have the same federal order for ignoring federal safety regulations.
