DOT orders shutdown of chameleon operation

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ordered July 13 that Alabama-based truck company MTI Transportation, LLC, immediately cease all transportation services based on evidence that it was a chameleon operation for two unsafe truck companies previously shut down by the agency.

FMCSA placed MTI Transportation out of service after safety investigators discovered the company was transporting goods for the former BM&L Trucking, LLC, and IDM Transportation, Inc. On May 11, 2012, the FMCSA issued an imminent hazard out-of-service order against both BM&L Trucking and IDM Transportation for serious federal safety violations in the areas of vehicle maintenance and driver drug and alcohol testing compliance.

The agency’s safety audit of MTI Transportation found that three of the company’s drivers were previously employed by BM&L Trucking or IDM Transportation. Additionally, MTI Transportation used two commercial vehicles still registered to BM&L Trucking or IDM Transportation. The May 2012 imminent hazard out-of-service order now also applies to MTI Transportation.

“The practice of unsafe companies quickly reincarnating as chameleon companies to continue operations is unacceptable.  Our agency is constantly doing everything within its current legal authority to keep one step ahead of these illegal actors,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro.

A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed here.