Senate Confirms Darling as FMCSA Administrator
This story appears in the July 25 & August 1 print edition of Transport Topics.
The Senate on July 14 confirmed Scott Darling as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. His nomination received unanimous consent in a vote on the eve of a seven-week congressional recess.
Darling had been the agency’s acting administrator and waited more than half a year for senators to take up his nomination.
“I am pleased to be given the privilege to serve our nation as FMCSA and our partners strive diligently toward achieving the agency’s mission of preventing crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses,” Darling told Transport Topics on July 20.
“Each day, we will work hard to ensure that safe trucking moves our economy and safe bus operations move our loved ones. The success of our ‘safety first’ efforts depends on strong partnerships with industry, law enforcement and the safety advocacy community. Collaborating with our partners will continue to be an agency priority. I am looking forward to continuing to work with FMCSA’s family of talented and dedicated professionals and to using our resources wisely as we make our roadways safer for everyone,” Darling added.
Soon after the confirmation, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx praised Darling’s dedication to the agency.
“As the acting administrator over the last 11 months, Scott has been laser-focused on the agency’s mission of reducing large bus and truck crashes and fatalities,” Foxx said, adding, “He goes the extra mile to engage actively and personally with the agency’s stakeholders. His collaborative approach has moved the ball forward on commercial motor vehicle safety. I look forward to our continued work together and congratulate him on his confirmation.”
Darling is leading myriad proposals this year, ranging from a reform of safety performance scores for truck carriers to regulation that would address health concerns such as sleep apnea. During a Senate hearing this year, Darling told senators a proposed safety fitness determination rule would help clarify which carriers would be deemed suitable to operate. He also stressed a need to ensure hours-of-service rules for truckers are maintained.
American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said the organization “congratulates Administrator Darling on his well-deserved confirmation.”
“Throughout his tenure at FMCSA, we have had a strong working relationship, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to promote safety on our nation’s highways,” Spear said.
Norita Taylor, spokeswoman at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said the group looks forward to continuing to work with Darling.
President Obama nominated Darling to lead FMCSA last summer. Darling had been the agency’s general counsel before he was propelled to the leadership post. He took over as acting administrator soon after the departure of Anne Ferro.
Prior to FMCSA, Darling was the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s deputy chief of staff and assistant general counsel.
