FMCSA Fines Michigan-Based Motor Carrier $185,770 for Violating Hours-of-Service Regulation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
November 9, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 9, 2000
Contact: David Longo
Tel: (202) 366-0456
FMCSA 21-00

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced that ETV, Inc., of Coopersville, Mich., a for-hire motor carrier that primarily hauls produce and furniture, was fined $185,770 for multiple violations of the federal hours-of-service safety regulation.

The violations were discovered during a recent investigation conducted by FMCSA’s Michigan division office.

"We will hold motor carriers to the highest standards when it comes to their safety performance on America’s roads and highways," FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Clyde J. Hart Jr. said. "Fatigue is too often the cause of commercial motor vehicle crashes, and this strong enforcement action demonstrates the seriousness of the offense. We will hold accountable those who allow potentially sleepy truck or bus drivers to threaten the safety of innocent motorists sharing the road."

ETV was cited for more than 300 counts of violating the regulation by requiring or permitting a driver to drive after having been on duty more than 70 hours in 8 consecutive days and for 60 counts of having false records of duty status. The company employs 238 drivers and operates 187 power units.

Drivers are required to comply with a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation on hours of service and to maintain accurate logs of their driving and on-duty activities. Regulations permit drivers to be behind the wheel for 10 hours and then require rest for 8.