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Motor Carrier Safety Unit
History
The State of Louisiana entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to uniformly
enforce the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and the Federal Hazardous Material Regulations (FHMR)
and to follow strict guidelines set forth by the USDOT for the inspection of commercial motor vehicles and drivers.
A nationwide initiative, the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) contracts with State law enforcement agencies
to conduct inspection, enforcement, and public outreach activities aimed at reducing the number and severity of commercial
vehicle crashes. The Louisiana State Police began participation in MCSAP in 1985 with the formation of the Motor Carrier
Safety Unit. Only officers certified by the USDOT and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) may enforce the
FMCSR and the FHMR.
Operations
Currently, the Motor Carrier Safety Unit (MCS), a sub-unit of the Transportation and Environmental Safety Section (TESS),
is further sub-divided into three regional units and an administrative support unit. Organizationally, MCS parallels
the general organizational structure of the Louisiana State Police. The unit is staffed full time by 37 commissioned
State Troopers, Sergeants, and Lieutenants. Additionally, the MCS Unit's efforts are being supplemented by 9 commissioned
Troopers from the Towing/Recovery and Hazmat Units, 19 Weights and Standards Officers, and 36 Troop assigned Troopers
who perform MCSAP inspections on a part-time basis. The majority of inspections are conducted on Tractor/Trailer Commercial
Motor Vehicles and their drivers.
Technology
The use of laptop computers and Aspen software for documentation of roadside inspections has been implemented. This
program allows for rapid upload of inspection data to the Safety and Fitness Electronics Records (SAFER) system. Louisiana
is the first state to transfer inspection data via a public safety radio system. Upon completion of an inspection,
Troopers transmit the data wirelessly to the Department of Public Safety Data Processing Center for immediate upload
to SAFER. MCSAP inspection officers anywhere in the country may dial into the SAFER system and view any inspection uploaded
to SAFER during the previous 45 days. Such technology allows officers to apprehend violators of out-of-service orders
and to identify repeat offenders.
Public Outreach
A joint public education effort by the State Police, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, and the Louisiana Motor
Transport Association involves representatives from each partner conducting safety seminars at shopping malls across
the state aimed at educating the motoring public about the "No-Zone", "Be Ready Be Buckled", and "Share
the Road". This national program is intended to educate motorists on areas around commercial vehicles that are
blind spots, hidden from the view of the truck driver. The program also encourages considerate sharing of the road by
passenger car and commercial vehicle drivers.
Narcotics Interdiction
In conjunction with the Drug Interdiction Assistance Program (DIAP), special emphasis is placed on the interdiction
of illegal narcotics transported by commercial vehicle. Troopers making use of specialized interdiction training
and narcotics sniffing canines are constantly on the lookout for such shipments.
Contact Our Offices
The office for MCSAP Region 1 is located in Covington, LA. Territorial boundaries include all areas of Troops
A, B, and L. Region 1 covers the major metropolitan areas of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, along with the suburban and
rural parishes of Southeastern LA. Of the three regions, Region 1 encompasses the greater population within its borders.
Telephone number (985) 871-1236.
The office for MCSAP Region 2 is located in Lafayette, LA. Its territory covers the Acadiana Parishes, and stretches
westward from the Achafalaya Basin to the Louisiana/Texas state line. Major cities include Lafayette, Houma, and
Lake Charles. Territorial boundaries include all areas of Troops C, D, and I. Telephone number (337) 262-3315.
Region 3 is a unique MCS Unit in that its Regional Office is located in Monroe, LA, but it also has satellite offices
in Alexandria and Shreveport. By far, Region 3 covers the largest geographical area. Its territorial borders stretch
across Northern LA from Mississippi to Texas and include all areas of Troops E, F, and G. Telephone number (318) 487-5902.
The MCSAP Administrative Unit operates out of Baton Rouge, LA. Its primary purpose is to provide administrative
and technical support to the three MCS Regions, and serve as a central repository for all reports generated as a result
of a MCSAP Inspection. However, due to the highly specialized and technical nature of MCSAP and the FMCSR, the Administrative
Unit also provides technical support to each of the 9 Troop Offices, Headquarters, and the trucking industry.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding inspection reports, please contact the administrative unit at 225-925-3800.
Please do not contact the regional offices for fine amounts.
Email
Questions and/or comments may be directed to the LSP Motor Carrier Safety Unit at
Links
Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System (SAFER)
Safety and Fitness Electronics Records System is operated by Johns Hopkins University and contains extensive data on
motor carrier performance. Safety profiles and enforcement histories are available and may be searched by USDOT Number,
ICC Number, or carrier name.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1,
2000, pursuant to the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999. Formerly a part of the Federal Highway Administration,
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle related fatalities
and injuries. Administration activities contribute to ensuring safety in motor carrier operations through strong enforcement
of safety regulations, targeting high risk carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers; improving safety information
systems and commercial motor vehicle technologies; strengthening commercial motor vehicle equipment and operating standards;
and increasing safety awareness. To accomplish these activities, the Administration works with Federal, state, and local
enforcement agencies, the motor carrier industry, labor safety interest groups, and others.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to certain vehicles operated in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.
Vehicles (1) having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 10,000 pounds, or (2) designed to transport
9 or more passengers, or (3) transporting a quantity of hazardous material that requires the vehicle to display placards,
must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is a non-profit organization of federal, state, and provincial government agencies
and representatives from private industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico dedicated to improving commercial
vehicle safety. The Alliance serves as the major focal point for bringing together state/provincial officials with truck/bus
industry interest and federal governments in a unique discussion and problem solving interchange.
Transportation Security Administration HAZMAT Endorsement Disqualifiers
The following list was specifically designed to identify disqualifying crimes that pose a potential threat to the nation's
transportation network. The list is comparable to assessment standards applied to millions of airport and airline employees.
These crimes are only disqualifying if they are considered felonies in the appropriate jurisdiction, civilian or military.
To Make Payment
LSP - Motor Carrier
P.O. Box 66601, Dept A-32
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
Phone: 225-925-3800
Fax: 225-925-3912
For questions about a Driver/Vehicle Inspection Report, penalties, or vehicle laws send an e-mail to: motor_carrier_safety@dps.state.la.us
To review National Carrier Profiles go to: www.safersys.org
CMV Crash/DWI Complaint Form for Compliance Review
Please select one of the versions below.
Microsoft Word Version
| Adobe Acrobat Version - |
To view or print the Adobe Acrobat document you need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To download the free software
click on the Acrobat button. |
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