Feds serious about safety

WASHINGTON The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has implemented its "New Entrant Safety Assurance Process" rule, which requires newly registered bus and truck operators to meet stricter safety requirements.

The rule raises the compliance standards for passing new entrant safety audits and requires that new carriers correct safety deficiencies before being granted permanent registration.

"Safety is our highest priority," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in announcing the program.

"This new rule says 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," LaHood said.

New FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro added: "This new rule helps to ensure that only the safest carriers can enter the industry and continue to operate on our roadways. By strengthening the new entrant process, our agency supports new carriers as they establish and maintain critical safety management controls that enable them to operate in full compliance with federal safety regulations."

Under the beefed-up requirements, a newly registered bus or truck company will automatically fail its safety audit if violations of any one of 16 essential federal regulations are discovered.

Among those things covered by the regulations are controlled substances and alcohol testing, hours-of-service requirements, driver qualifications, vehicle condition, and carrier insurance responsibility.

Failure to pass a new entrant safety audit may result in revocation of a carriers registration, unless that carrier takes corrective action within a time period established by FMCSA.

Additionally, if certain violations are discovered during roadside or other inspections, the new carrier may be subject to an expedited safety audit or a compliance review that can result in fines or an out-of-service order.

For more information on the New Entrant Safety Assurance Process rule, go to www.fmcsa.dot.gov.