The Hotline,
1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7328), is a TOLL FREE number for drivers nationwide to contactthe
Federal Motor Carrier Administration.
View
Press Release (SEPTEMBER 1998)
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Press
Release
EDITORS AND CORRESPONDENTS:
On January 1, 2001 the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will expand the congressionally mandated
toll-free driver hotline (1-888-DOT-SAFT) for reporting safety violations to include
reporting of alleged violations of commercial regulations previously administered
by the Interstate Commerce Commission. The primary focus of the expanded hotline
will be to focus on household goods complaints and hostage load complaints. As
information on the existence of this hotline spreads, other commercial complaints
may eventually find their way to this operation. The expanded hotline will be
staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week excluding Federal Holidays.
Carriers
and brokers who are reported to have engaged in violations of the commercial regulations
and alleged to demonstrate a continued pattern of noncompliance with applicable
federal laws will be referred to the Household Goods Enforcement Team for appropriate
handling, which could include a means of enforcement action. Consumers who have
been injured by household goods carriers operating in violation of existing federal
regulations are urged to report the violation via the hotline.
The
expansion of the hotline to include consumer complaints will benefit the public
by providing a safety net to consumers who have been victimized by carriers who
are identified as egregious violators. Complainants are assured of the confidentiality
of their identity.
Further information
is available from Mr. James R. Dubose at (202)493-0359
Sincerely
yours,
Julie Anna Cirillo
Acting Deputy Administrator
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Frequently
Asked Questions
HOW
CAN YOUR CALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
WHAT
ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF SAFETY VIOLATIONS?
WHAT
SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY COMPLAINT?
HOW
DOES THE COMPLAINT PROCESS WORK?
HOW
DO I FILE A SAFETY VIOLATION COMPLAINT?
WHERE
TO GO FOR NON-SAFETY PROBLEMS?
| HOW
CAN YOUR CALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE? |
| |
The
Toll-Free DOT Safety Violation Hotline is your
chance to help identify safety problems in your
company. |
| |
The
Hotline is run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, and Agency of the U.S. Department
of Transportation. |
| |
We
review your complaint and it prompts us to open
an investigation. |
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to Frequently Asked Questions
| WHAT
ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF SAFETY VIOLATIONS? |
| There
are five primary types of complaints that are
received on the hotline... |
| |
HOURS
OF SERVICE COMPLAINTS - Drivers allege that
they are being asked or forced to drive more hours
than permitted by the regulation. Some drivers
state that they record false entries in their
logbooks to hide excessive driving. |
| |
UNQUALIFIED
DRIVER/DRUGS AND ALCOHOL - A person alleges
that the drivers who are being used by Motor Carriers
are not physically qualified, medically examined
and certified, or under the influence of drugs
or alcohol. |
| |
UNSAFE
EQUIPMENT - A person alleges that a Motor
Carrier's vehicles are in poor condition. |
| |
LUMPING
- A driver states that he/she was required to
pay people to unload the cargo from his/her truck.
|
| |
MOTORISTS'
COMPLAINTS - A person who has witnessed unsafe
driving of a commercial truck or bus reports the
incident. |
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to Frequently Asked Questions
| WHAT
SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY COMPLAINT? |
| The
following information should be included in your
complaint. |
| |
Your
name, address, and telephone number. |
| |
The
specific dates the of the alleged violation. |
| |
The
names of the person who advises you. |
| |
A
maximum of three alleged violations. |
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to Frequently Asked Questions
| HOW
DOES THE COMPLAINT PROCESS WORK? |
| | Your
complaint will be recorded and forwarded to DOT for handling. |
| | If
the complaint meets certain standards, it will be investigated. |
| | An
agency official may contact you for additional information. |
| | You
should be notified within 90 days of how your complaint was handled. |
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to Frequently Asked Questions
|
HOW DO I FILE A SAFETY VIOLATION
COMPLAINT? |
| | File
a complaint electronically using the ONLINE
SAFETY VIOLATION COMPLAINT |
| | Dial
TOLL FREE 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238). |
| | The
TOLL-FREE HOTLINE (1-888-DOT-SAFT) is a nationwide toll-free number where drivers
can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak anonymously or confidentially
with a service representative specifically trained to receive reports. Service
representatives are on duty Sunday through Sunday from 5:30 AM to 5:30 AM eastern
standard time. |
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to Frequently Asked Questions
|
WHERE
TO GO FOR NON-SAFETY PROBLEMS? |
| | Our
hotline concentrates on safety problems. If your problem is not safety related,
we will help you by directing you to the right government agency that can help. |
| | The
Department of Labor's Occupational Safety Health Administration at 1-800-321-OSHA
handles complaints about pay and compensation. |
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Back
to Frequently Asked Questions
SAFETY
VIOLATION REPORT
USE THIS
FORM ONLY TO REPORT A SAFETY VIOLATION. IF YOU PREFER, CALL THE DOT SAFETY VIOLATION
HOTLINE AT 1-888-DOT-SAFT(1-888-368-7238) AND A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WILL RECORD
THE REPORT.
THE DOT FOLLOWS A STRICT
POLICY, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LAW, OF NOT DISCLOSING THE IDENTITY OF THE COMPLAINANT.
HOWEVER, NO IMMUNITY FOR PROSECUTION IS GUARANTEED FOR PERSONS WHO FILE A COMPLAINT
AND ARE PARTY TO A VIOLATION, BUT THE DOT GENERALLY HOLDS THE MOTOR CARRIER RESPONSIBLE
FOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.
To file
a safety Violation Report using the Online
Safety Violation Form. (Your information will be encrypted using SSL)
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