The FMCSA is honoring its pledge to get dangerous trucks off America’s roads and put hazardous trucking companies out of service. This week, the FMCSA put Tennessee-based trucking company Three Angels Farms out of service.
“Safety is always our top priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “If a truck company ignores federal safety rules and places the traveling public at risk, we will remove them from the road.”
According to the FMCSA, Three Angels Farms:
- Failed to provide drug and alcohol screening to its employees.
- Did not monitor or require its employees to monitor their hours of service.
- Allowed drivers without a valid CDL to operate the vehicles.
- Did not have a vehicle maintenance program.
- Did not keep maintenance records.
The company came under investigation after two accidents occurred in a six-month time period, resulting in the death of 4 horses.
On January 17, 2012, a Three Angels Farms driver fell asleep behind the wheel, veered to the right side of the road, lost control, causing the trailer to overturn. The trailer was carrying 38 horses, 3 died.
Following the accident, the driver reported that he had been working at the farm all night and had only had a 30 minute break in a 24-hour time period.
The second accident occurred on June 12, 2012, when a Three Angels Farms vehicle, that was operated by a driver with a suspended CDL, wrecked on 1-40 West. The trailer was carrying 36 horses, 1 had to be euthanized.
If Three Angels Farms does not comply with the out-of-service order, they will be fined $16,000 per day.
“This strong enforcement action is an example of how we are working to keep all travelers on our highways and roads safe,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “We will continue to use every resource within our current authority to weed out the unsafe operators.”