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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Small Carriers Sue to Prevent Release of Safety Data

Earlier today I posted the message indicating that the Dep't of Transportation FMCSA was launching it Compliance Safety and Accountability (CSA) Program.  What I failed to point out was that the launch of this new safety program was almost delayed due to last minute lawsuits by some associations that represent commercial carriers. 

These associations filed suit while the companies that contribute to the association remained in the background.  They claimed that allowing the public access to their safety records could put them out of business, particularly in this difficult economic climate.

Over 2700 carriers are members of one of these organizations, but I have been unable to discover the names of these allegedly small companies.  A few of them signed affidavits in the lawsuit, including BP Express, a trucking company that has 6 terminals from Knoxville, TN to West Palm Beach, FL.  Another small company that signed an affidavit for court was Express America Trucking, Inc that employs 165 drivers at 3 terminals in the southeast.   In addition to not being able to find the names of all members of the organization that filed suit, I have been unable to find the guidelines they use to define 'small trucking companies.'    I will keep looking and I invite a representative from the National Association of Small Trucking Companies to shed some light on this issue. 

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