The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ordered Alabama-based truck company MTI Transportation, LLC, to immediately cease all transportation services based on evidence that it was a chameleon operation for two unsafe truck companies previously shut down by the agency.
“The practice of unsafe companies quickly reincarnating as chameleon companies to continue operations is unacceptable. Our agency is constantly doing everything within its current legal authority to keep one step ahead of these illegal actors,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro.
FMCSA placed MTI Transportation out of service after safety investigators discovered the company was transporting goods for the former BM&L Trucking, LLC, and IDM Transportation, Inc. On May 11, 2012, the FMCSA issued an imminent hazard out-of-service order against both BM&L Trucking and IDM Transportation for serious federal safety violations in the areas of vehicle maintenance and driver drug and alcohol testing compliance.
The agency's safety audit of MTI Transportation found that three of the company’s drivers were previously employed by BM&L Trucking or IDM Transportation. Additionally, MTI Transportation used two commercial vehicles still registered to BM&L Trucking or IDM Transportation. The May 2012 imminent hazard out-of-service order now also applies to MTI Transportation.
“MTI Transportation continues, in all significant aspects, the operations of BM&L Trucking, LLC. BM&L Trucking, LLC’s management structure has not changed and exhibits the same safety deficiencies” which were the basis for the BM&L shut down order, according to FMCSA.
“We must keep our nation’s roadways safe for drivers and passengers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This case sends the message that we will shut down unsafe truck companies that attempt to illegally operate.”
A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/about/news/2012/MTI-Transportatio-IH-Order.pdf.
