Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/443069
COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JANUARY 2015 13 JOURNAL NEWS U .S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) last month sent a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration instruct- ing the agency to do more to stop "chameleon" or "reincarnated" carriers from forming after they've been reprimanded or shut down by regulators. Schumer said the agency needs to review driver safety records when a carrier applies for authority, rather than just the owners' records. This "loophole," he said, is "so large you could drive a truck through it." Schumer's letter was spurred by a fatal crash that happened in June in Ithaca, N.Y., where a truck crashed into a restaurant and killed a preg- nant woman. He said that while FMCSA is taking steps to screen chameleon carriers more effectively, drivers' safety records also should be part of the process. "It is critical that a better sys- tem be developed when it comes to screening potential chame- leon carriers and unsafe drivers who shouldn't be on the roads," Schumer said. "While most compa- nies that receive violations and cita- tions quickly take steps to improve their safety operations, some car- riers are able to evade oversight by simply closing down and re-emerg- ing with a new name." FMCSA spokesperson Marissa Padilla said the agency has "taken aggressive steps" in recent years to better vet new entrant carriers and upped fines for carriers that rein- carnate under new names. Padilla also noted the agency's 2014 rule that expands its authority to shut down carriers with a history of intentionally violating federal safety rules. FMCSA so far this year has taken action against 35 companies that fall under the chameleon umbrella, Padilla said. "We appreciate Sen. Schumer's support of our aggressive efforts to combat chameleon carriers, and Acting Administrator (Scott) Darling will respond to him directly on the new rules and policies we are taking to keep these unsafe compa- nies off the road," the agency said. – James Jaillet Professional Grade Performance Since 1920 1 st in Series, Limited Edition! when you purchase 6 bottles of Howes Products See stores for details or visit www.howeslube.com Offer ends: 3/31/15, available while supplies last. Howes Collectible, Pocket Knife Gelling is for desserts, not diesel fuel. Why fool around this winter? Diesel Treat reduces the possibility of your diesel fuel gelling to absolute zero. Guaranteed. While competing products disperse water, Howes Diesel Treat displaces it, leaving only pure fuel to burn. And that's a sweet treat your engine can really enjoy. Prevents Diesel Fuel From Gelling, Guaranteed! Saves Money and Eliminates Downtime Increases Power and Fuel Economy Eliminates Smoking and Rough Idle Treats More Fuel than Competing Brands Warranty Safe for all Diesel Emission Systems Senator wants more done to stop 'chameleon' carriers