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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) 343-7436.
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 255-925-3800. 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 - |
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