To be effective, these programs must ensure that the entire industry is held equally accountable for the safety of our roadways. Even the programs in place need to be improved. DOT's program attempts to target the worst of our almost 500,000 motor carriers for enforcement action. But, because of poor data, they can't identify those carriers or ensure that corrective actions have been taken. In fact, DOT can't even be sure they know how many or which motor carriers are operating on our highways.
Similar problems affect their ability to identify deficient drivers.
Two of the most accurate predictors of future accidents are drivers' involvement in prior accidents and their record of traffic violations. But, the current CDL system doesn't always reflect all of a driver's convictions or serious traffic violations obtained while driving a private automobile. In addition, as drivers move from state to state, their convictions often don't transfer with them. Testimony during our January hearing suggested that it's also time for a national registry of medical providers so that the American public can be assured that CDL holders, who are operating large commercial vehicles on the nation's highways, are medically qualified. The Safety Board is investigating five truck and motorcoach crashes in which this issue and CDL oversight are under review.