According to the Government Accountability Office, hundreds of commercial tractor-trailer and bus companies ordered to close because of safety violations remain operating their dangerous vehicles under new names. At least 20 bus companies and 1100 trucking companies have dodged compliance with federal safety rules just by changing their names. These companies had hundreds of violations ranging from failure to test drivers for drugs and alcohol, operating unsafe vehicles to failing to check drivers’ background records. How can it be so easy for these companies to continue to put the driving public in danger just by changing their names?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has reacted to the GAO report by putting in place new oversight measures, computer matching processes, new safety audit regulations and stricter compliance follow up. Paying for the needed computer upgrades will only come from a proposed $500 billion highway safety reorganization bill which has been held up by the Obama administration for a review of costs.
In the current economy and amid the national debate over costs of health care reform and rising deficits, passage of that bill seems unlikely. Unfortunately for us that means any bus or 18 wheeler we meet on the road could be the one being operated by unsafe and unscrupulous motor carrier operators.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
