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March 12, 1999 9:12 AM, EST

Related Stories Pact to improve safety is signed. (March 5) (Note: To return to this story, click the "Back" button on your browser.)

Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater continued his defense of the Department of Transportation’s handling of motor carrier safety at a March 4 congressional hearing, but said the failure to significantly decrease the number of truck-related traffic fatalities is “unacceptable.”

Testifying before the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Slater said the department is requesting $160 million for motor carrier safety programs for next year, with emphasis on creating a performance-based motor carrier program.

Slater said the department is increasing its use of data to target unsafe carriers and is working to get more complete and timely information.

“Recent events show we must be ever more vigilant when it comes to motor carrier safety,” he said.