Stronger Enforcement Would Help Improve Motor Carrier Safety

摘要

The Department of Transportation's Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety enforces laws and regulations governing the safe operation of interstate motor carriers and hazardous materials shippers. GAO found many differences in how (1) safety investigators selected carriers for audit, developed ratings, and identified actions to take on the basis of audit results and (2) enforcement cases were processed. The differences raise questions about the Bureau's management of the enforcement program. GAO noted that the Bureau field staff needed specific guidance on the selecting, rating, and enforcement process and that Bureau headquarters did not have direct control over its field staff, preventing adequate oversight of field activities. GAO is making a number of recommendations to improve the implementation and oversight of the Bureau's enforcement program. The Department generally agreed with GAO's suggestions.