The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has begun enforcing its New Entrant Safety Assurance Process rule that raises the standard of compliance for passing the safety audit for new Truck and Bus companies. The agency has identified 11 regulations that it believes are essential elements of basic safety management controls necessary to operate in interstate commerce.
“Safety is our highest priority,” said Ray LaHood, US Transportation Secretary. “This new rule says that we are serious about having safe trucks and buses on the road. This is important for those behind the wheels of these big rigs and those who share the road with them.”
Under the new requirements, a newly registered truck or bus company will automatically fail its safety audit if violations of any one of 11 essential federal regulations are discovered. These regulations cover controlled substances and alcohol testing, hours-of-service rules, driver qualifications, vehicle condition, and carrier insurance responsibility.
“This new rule helps to ensure that only the safest carriers can enter the industry and continue to operate on our roadways,” said Administrator Anne S. Ferro. For more information, visit their website.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
