FMCSA GETS IT PARTLY RIGHT - AUDITS NEW CARRIERS IN FIRST 18 MONTHS
The FMCSA gets a partial round of applause for instituting a mandatory audit for new trucking companies after 18 months. They don't get a full round of applause because the public should not be left in danger for a year and 1/2 before the FMCSA gets around to looking at a new company. The program will shut down companies that:
- Use drivers with invalid licenses
- Fail to have a drug and alcohol policy
- Have insufficient insurance
- Use drivers who are medically disqualified
- Uses unsafe vehicles
- Fail to inspect its vehicles
- Fail to keep track of the HOS of its drivers,
Given the above list I would like to think the FMCSA could act faster than 18 months. Given that we have not had a mandatory program in place before now, 18 months is a lot better than nothing.
The FMCSA estimated that the new rule on inspections will save $3.78 Billion dollars by avoiding nearly 40,000 crashes over a 10 year period. Imagine how many more people would be saved from the tragedy of a crash with an 18 Wheeler if the inspection was held between the first 6 to 12 months!
