DOT Authority Restored; Senate Action Awaited On Trucking Safety Office
The Department of Transportation got its ability to issue fines and take carriers to court last week after temporarily losing the ability to do so.
Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater created an interim office of motor carriers reporting directly to him until Congress completes action on legislation creating a motor carrier administration.
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President Clinton signed legislation Oct. 19 reversing a section of DOT’s spending bill that also prohibited the department from shutting down carriers posing an imminent threat to highway safety. The legislation also cut off funding for motor carrier safety programs unless they were moved out of the Federal Highway Administration.
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“We’re in operation. We’re performing those functions allowed us by Congress,” OMC spokesman Dave Longo said. The agency retained the ability to conduct compliance reviews and safety fitness ratings, but could not fine or cite carriers unless they posed an imminent hazard. Active enforcement cases were placed on hold.
