The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced March 19 that it had shut down two trucking operations and two passenger carriers as imminent hazards to public safety. The trucking operations are GEG Construction, Indian Orchard, MA, (USDOT No. 1503585) and Allen Quandahl, LLC, Waukon, IA (USDOT No. 1964143). The GEG Construction order was dated March 11; the Allen Quandahl order was dated Feb. 25.
Federal investigators concluded that GEG Construction and its owner, Gil Gomes, failed to ensure that vehicles were systematically and properly inspected, repaired and maintained and that they operated vehicles in an out-of-service condition. The company also employed drivers before they received negative pre-employment drug and alcohol test results, FMCSA said.
According to investigators, Allen Quandahl failed to ensure its vehicles were properly inspected, repaired and maintained, resulting in systemic accidents. The carrier also failed to monitor and ensure that its drivers complied with controlled substances and alcohol use and testing regulation and employed drivers before receiving negative pre-employment drug and alcohol test results. In addition, drivers were not required by the company to turn in hours-of-service records or other required supporting documents, FMCSA said.
The two passenger carriers ordered shut down were by FMCSA are Woodburn’s Tour and Travel, LLC, dba Woodburn’s Motor Coach, East Point, Ga. (USDOT No. 2181163) and Motts Transportation, Inc., Cordesville, S.C. (USDOT No. 828452). The Woodburn order was dated March 7; the Motts order was dated Feb. 10.
FMCSA said that Woodburn Motor Coach’s fleet of 11 motor coaches did not meet minimum safety standards as the company failed to systematically and properly inspect, repair or maintain the vehicles. The company’s owners also failed to monitor and ensure that its drivers complied with controlled substances and alcohol use and testing regulations, Investigators found. Drivers were employed before receiving negative pre-employment drug and alcohol test results, and the company failed to require its drivers to turn in hours-of-service records or other required documentation, such as driving itineraries and fuel receipts.
Federal investigators said that Motts Transportation and owner Jerome Carter Sr. failed to monitor drivers or ensure that vehicles were systematically and properly inspected, repaired, and maintained. The company failed to require its drivers to comply with federal limitations on driving and on-duty requirements.
So far in 2014, FMCSA has declared five passenger carriers, two property carriers, and four commercial drivers to be imminent hazards to the public.
