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October 4, 2000 10:40 AM, EDT

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration soon should have sharper teeth to go after motor carriers that are in arrears in payment of fines and penalties.

Outstanding claims had been rising over four years, reaching $5,415,107 in 1999. However, most of those claims have been paid or are in the process of being paid, accord to FMCSA. As a result, the dollar amount that had been previously written off has dwindled to $114,479.

Under new authority scheduled to take effect Dec. 9, FCMSA will be able to shut down interstate trucking operations and lift their registrations if they do not pay off their fines or make installment payments on time.

The agency has come under fire for not being tough enough with carriers that violate federal safety regulations. A 1999 report by the Department of Transportation’s inspector general said the number of assessments and fines were not where they should be to ensure motor carriers compliance.

For the full story, see the Oct. 2 print edition of Transport Topics. .