FMCSA Shuts Down Colorado Carrier
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said Friday it has shut down GD Cars Inc., an Aurora, Colo., trucking company that carried used cars and trucks, saying the carrier’s operation of commercial vehicles “poses an imminent hazard to public safety.”
In its out-of-service order, FMCSA alleged that GD Cars fails to ensure that its trucks are properly maintained, fails to monitor drivers’ hours of service, fails to ensure its drivers are properly licensed and medically certified, fails to properly test drivers for drug and alcohol use and does not keep proper insurance levels.
“Any vehicle, but especially a large commercial combination vehicle such as a truck and trailer, that is not maintained or repaired and allowed to become a serious public hazard, is unacceptable,” FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro said a statement. “The regulations exist to protect everyone. Compliance is not optional.”
Gheorghe Reul, who FMCSA identified as the carrier’s former manager, answered the phone at the number listed for GD Cars. He told Transport Topics he does not work for the company anymore and refused to provide contact information for a company representative. He declined to answer questions about FMCSA’s order.
FMCSA initiated a compliance review of GD Cars on May 13.
In addition to the above accusations, FMCSA said a driver for the carrier drove to Kansas during the agency’s investigation and tried to retrieve a truck and trailer that were impounded by the Kansas Highway Patrol for safety violations. On the return trip, Kansas officers inspected the truck and trailer being used and placed them out of service for vehicle defects.
