The FMCSA has put the brakes on New Jersey carrier, J&A Transportation after numerous safety and hours of service violations were found.
The order applies to J&A and its drivers.
*July 2010, J&A failed a New Entrant safety audit, because it did not have basic safety management controls in place.
*November 2010, The New Entrant operating authority was revoked.
*December 2010, J&A submitted an overdue Corrective Action Plan (CAP). However, the CAP did not provide proof of a controlled substances and alcohol testing policy, supervisor training or random alcohol and drug screening.
*January 7, 2011, the FMCSA notified J&A that its CAP was unacceptable and its New Entrant operating authority would remain suspended.
*May 2011, the FMCSA attempted to conduct a mandatory safety investigation but were unable to do so.
*By September 2011, several attempts had be made by the FMCSA to arrange a safety investigation. The FMCSA then inactivated J&A Transportation’s DOT number.
Despite not having New Entrant operating authority or an active DOT number, the company continued to operate, and repeatedly defies the FMCSA’s out-of-service order.
According to the FMCSA, the company’s safety violations were as follows:
*Driver log violation rate 50%
*Out-of-service log violation 30%
Vehicles inspected had:
*flat tries with belt material showing
*multiple inoperable lamps
*overweight loads
*trucks having to be hot wired to start
*and more
“The FMCSA takes seriously its responsibility to remove unscrupulous truck companies off the road,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. “Companies that disregard safety will be shut down.”
If J&A Transportation continues to operate, it could face a fine of up to $25,000 per day.
J&A isn’t the only company to be shut down by the FMCSA this month for safety violations. Last week, Reliable Transport Service of Utah.