FMCSA Shuts Down Nevada Trucking Company as an Imminent Hazard to Public Safety

Press Release

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has ordered Las Vegas, Nevada-based JDJD Transportation, LLC, USDOT No. 2432071, to immediately shut down following a federal investigation that revealed numerous widespread violations of critical safety regulations. The company, which was declared an imminent hazard to public safety, operated three truck-tractors transporting heavy equipment, machinery, and metal in the southwestern United States.

"There is no higher priority than safety and we will not hesitate to order unsafe commercial drivers, vehicles, or entire companies off the road," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Our common sense safety regulations serve to protect the motoring public; everyone deserves to reach their destination safely."

In January 2015, FMCSA safety investigators completed a compliance investigation into JDJD Transportation during which numerous serious violations of federal regulations were found, including:

Failing to ensure that its drivers complied with hours-of-service regulations designed to prevent fatigue, including limitations on daily driving and maximum on-duty hours. During the investigation, investigators found that JDJD Transportation failed to maintain copies of drivers' records and had no safety management system to check and ensure driver compliance.

Failing to ensure drivers possess a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) and that they were qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle, using drivers that had not been tested for drug or alcohol use, and failing to implement a drug and alcohol testing program.

Failing to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain its commercial vehicles. JDJD Transportation had no annual inspection records and did not require drivers to conduct pre- and post-trip inspections for its 15- to 30-year-old vehicles despite a pattern of roadside inspections finding serious maintenance problems.

During the previous nine-month period prior to the compliance review, JDJD Transportation was subjected to nine roadside inspections. On all but two occasions, multiple serious safety violations were discovered. During the most recent inspection, three days before FMCSA ordered the carrier to cease operations, JDJD Transportation's vehicle was placed out-of-service for multiple serious safety defects, including cracks in the vehicle's frame.

During this same nine month period, the company has also been cited for failing to ensure compliance with load securement, size limitation, and signage requirements. In December 2014, a JDJD Transportation flatbed trailer hauling heavy equipment struck an overpass bridge near Houston, Texas. The driver was cited with transporting an oversized load, having an expired license, and having no insurance.

The FMCSA imminent hazard order directs JDJD Transportation to cease all commercial motor vehicle operations, including all interstate and intrastate transportation, from all dispatching locations or terminals. FMCSA also simultaneously revoked the carrier's federal operating authority and suspended its USDOT number. Violating an imminent hazard out-of-service order and operating without operating authority and a USDOT number may result in civil penalties up to $60,000 as well as a criminal penalty including a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment not to exceed one year.

"Our highly trained team of federal safety investigators and inspectors are dedicated professionals who work in close cooperation with our state partners every day everywhere in the country," said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. "We will continue to be aggressive in enforcing safety rules that serve to protect everyone."

A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/JDJD-Transportation-IHOOS

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