An Atlanta trucking company was forced to shut down by the federal government Friday.
Southern Transportation Inc. was told by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to cease operation.
The trucking company stopped cooperating with FMCSA and failed to release copies of company safety records, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
According to the order to cease operation, Southern Transportation Inc. failed to ensure that employees comply with drivers’ qualification requirements. The order also said the company failed to properly maintain its trucks.
Under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama in June 2012, the FMCSA is able to place a motor carrier out of service if it fails to comply with its demands to release the records.
“Truck and bus companies that refuse to cooperate with safety investigators have no place on our nation’s roadways,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a press release. “We will continue to use our authority to shut down motor carriers that endanger the public.”
Attempts to contact Southern Transportation Inc. were unsuccessful.
Another Atlanta trucking company, General Transportation Inc., was forced to shut down by FMCSA last week due to safety concerns. The company is run out of the same location as Southern Transportation, according to the U.S Department of Transportation. The investigation is continuing.
Attempts to reach General Transportation Inc. were unsuccessful.
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