August 11, 1998

If truck or bus drivers are aware of a real potential violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations we want to hear about it.

The Office of Motor Carriers has installed a nationwide toll-free hotline - 1-888-DOT-SAFT - to take drivers' reports. I assure you they will be followed up by investigation and, if called for, remedial action will be ordered. The safety violation report form is available also on our Internet homepage - http://mchs.fhwa.dot.gov/factsfigs/formspubs.htm - if drivers would prefer to use regular mail or fax.

Drivers are fully protected by law against being discharged, disciplined, or discriminated against regarding compensation, terms or privileges of employment because of reporting of violations.

It will help immensely if drivers would meet our complaint guidelines by including three things: (1) the name, address, and phone number of the person filing the report; (2) the name and address of the alleged violator and specific provisions of the regulations believed to be violated, and (3) a concise substantiation of each allegation, including dates.

The hotline was prescribed in the recently enacted "Transportation Equity Act for the 21 st Century."

Further information is available from Stan Hamilton or Tony Schafer of the Office of Motor Carriers (202-366-0665 for media calls only, please).

Sincerely yours,

George L. Reagle
Associate Administrator for Motor Carriers