FMCSA Pushes to Overhaul Computer Systems, Stop “Chameleon Carriers”

By Grant Law Office on April 17, 2012

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for keeping track of safety violations and other legal violations made by commercial truck and bus companies within the U.S. If a company’s violations are particularly dangerous, repetitive, or common, the FMCSA has the power to put the company “out of service,” forcing it to stay off the roads until the issues are corrected.

In recent months, however, the FMCSA has found that its outdated computer systems – which are maintained separately and do not share information with one another – are making it increasingly difficult for the agency to keep up with “chameleon carriers.”

Chameleon carriers are companies that don’t bother to fix problems when they’re placed out of service. Instead, they just shut down the company and start again under a new name and DOT (Department of Transportation) number.

This action is barred by FMCSA regulations, but without integrated information systems, the FMCSA often finds it hard to figure out which new carriers are “chameleons.” The confusion makes it easier for companies to get away with continued problems instead of fixing them, and also increases the chances that these companies will cause serious harm in a semi truck accident.

Recently, however, members of Congress have mentioned that upgrading the FMCSA’s ability to identify and stop chameleon carriers is a priority. Many are backing additional funding for FMCSA to implement the plan it has already created to upgrade its systems and bring truck and bus regulation enforcement into the 21st century.

Truck accidents can cause serious injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash, call the dedicated Georgia truck accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. today. We have the legal resources and the real-world experience to help you find out exactly what happened and hold any negligent parties accountable for their acts. For a free, confidential consultation by phone, call us today at (404) 995-3955.