Group says too many N.D. trucks pose safety risk

The organization says North Dakota has the second-highest rate of truck companies per population in violation of federal safety requirements, behind West Virginia.

The Associated Press

8/31/2009

BISMARCK, N.D. — An association made up of legal professionals says there are too many unsafe trucks in North Dakota. A North Dakota trucking official says that isn't true.

The American Association for Justice issued a report based on its analysis of government data.

The organization says North Dakota has the second-highest rate of truck companies per population in violation of federal safety requirements, behind West Virginia.

More than 325 North Dakota motor carrier companies have violated federal safety regulations, operating more than 2,251 trucks.

AAJ obtained data on the safety performance of U.S. trucking companies through the Motor Carrier Management Information System. The system is maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Tom Balzer, managing director of the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association, says the safety rating system used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is designed to identify areas of safety that trucking companies can improve upon, and is not meant as a grading system.

The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at editor@thetrucker.com.

Follow The Trucker on Twitter at www.twitter.com/truckertalk.