Unsafe Trucking: Who's Watching the Watchers?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is supposed to keep our roads safe by checking on trucking companies and drivers. But the numbers tell a different story.

Alarming Statistics

• 2021 Data: 690,091 interstate freight carriers
• 94% of them had no safety rating at all
• Only 6% of carriers get a compliance review or on-site inspection

The Problem with Non-Domicile CDLs

• Non-domicile CDLs: Commercial driver's licenses given to people who don't live in the state where they got their license
• CDL mills: Some states have become hotspots for these mills, where people can get a license without really knowing how to drive a truck safely
• Crash Consequences: Often, it's too late to find out the driver wasn't qualified

The Meaning of "No Safety Rating Available"

• Four safety ratings: Satisfactory, Conditional, Unsatisfactory, and Not Rated
• Not Rated: A red flag indicating no one has looked under the hood—literally or figuratively

Enforcement Loopholes

• Compliance Issues: One carrier had only 31.8% compliance with hours-of-service rules and 7.6% compliance with controlled substances rules
• Broker Problems: Some brokers avoid carriers who follow the rules because they want to pay less
• Scams: Insurance fraud and shell companies are common, with no audit, no background check, and no consequences

Solutions

• Close the non-domicile CDL loophole
• Require safety audits before issuing permanent operating authority
• Ensure every active carrier undergoes a full compliance review within 6 months
• Restrict broker access to carriers with no safety rating
• Use technology to identify fraud loops

The Current State

The FMCSA is like a housing inspector that only checks 1 out of every 20 homes being built—and doesn’t even follow up if someone complains. That’s not regulation. That’s neglect. And in an industry where lives are on the line every day, neglect isn’t just dangerous. It’s deadly.