"Fit, Willing and Able" Campaign Focuses on Commercial Vehicle Safety

September 23, 2012 (Press-News.org) "Fit, Willing and Able" Campaign Focuses on Commercial Vehicle Safety

Florida area drivers know that large commercial vehicles on the road are potentially dangerous. Additionally, the risk of an accident increases when drivers of these vehicles are not in compliance with safety regulations. Fortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is raising safety standards for interstate bus and trucking companies. New criteria are being implemented for the granting, withholding, revoking, or suspending of a company's operating authority registration; keeping unsafe truck drivers off Florida roads.

The new standards will increase safety for Tampa motorists. They will be able to drive with the assurance that large motor carriers on the road are meeting appropriate safety requirements.

The Motor Carrier Act of 1935 originally authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission to issue operating authority registration to motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders. This authority was revoked for willful violations of statutory regulations.

Current standards are similar. Today the FMCSA withholds operating registration if it determines a company does not meet statutory requirements. Registration is revoked if a company is unwilling or unable to stay compliant.

The new campaign went into effect on August 2nd and is titled "Fit, Willing, and Able." The FMCSA says the program highlights federal policy that refuses to grant operating authority to companies who engage in certain practices. One of these practices involves companies creating new identities or affiliate relationships to avoid a negative safety history.

Motor carriers will now need to meet certain criteria to show they are willing to comply with the appropriate statutory and federal requirements. This is the only way they will be able to maintain their operating license.

The amount of past violations will be identified, including how many resulted in crashes, injuries, or death. Whether or not these violations were the result of a willful failure to comply with appropriate requirements will be taken into consideration. How these violations affect safety operations will also be measured.

Any pending and closed enforcement actions as a result of violations will also be evaluated under the new guidelines. Safety management controls will also be evaluated, to ensure they are complying with applicable requirements. Corrective action by companies will also play an important role in determining whether or not to issue operating registration. In terms of buses, the new standards only apply to private bus companies that travel on interstate highways. School bus services through school districts are exempt.

The above factors will be given equal weight, with an overall evaluation of a company's compliance history done. However, if one violation is particularly significant, it may be enough to revoke registration.

A car accident due to the negligence of another may give rise to compensation in the form of lost wages and medical expenses to injured drivers and passengers. Contact a skilled personal injury attorney to find out if you are eligible for losses sustained in an auto accident.

Article provided by The Hancock Law Firm, P.A.
Visit us at www.lawhancock.com