By The Trucker News Staff – May 12, 2022
WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) has ordered Houston-based Jaypur Logistics LLC (USDOT No. 3150073) to immediately cease all interstate and intrastate operations. The carrier has been labeled an imminent hazard to public safety and was served with the federal order May 7.
According to a statement from the FMCSA, Jaypur Logistics was targeted for investigation following “widespread” violations documented by the FMCSA and its partners during roadside inspections: Jaypur Logistics had almost double the national average vehicle out-of-service rate and more than five times the national average driver out-of-service rate.
The FMCSA review of Jaypur Logistics found the motor carrier to be “egregiously noncompliant” with multiple federal safety regulations, including controlled substances and alcohol use and testing (49 CFR Part 382), commercial driver’s license standards (49 CFR Part 383), driver qualification (49 CFR Part 391), unsafe driving (49 CFR Part 392), hours of service of drivers (49 CFR Part 395), and vehicle inspection, repair and maintenance (49 CFR Part 396).
The FMCSA maintains that, during the investigation, Jaypur Logistics demonstrated a severe lack of oversight of its operations. The carrier could identify only a fraction of the drivers and vehicles operating under its authority and was not even aware its drivers had hauled hazardous materials.
In addition, the FMCSA statement notes that Jaypur Logistics failed to ensure its drivers were eligible to drive, allowing six drivers who were already prohibited in the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to operate on its behalf. Twice Jaypur Logistics’ drivers have been cited for operating under the influence, and three times its drivers have been cited for on-duty possession of drugs or alcohol. Jaypur Logistics did not have a program to detect and deter the use of controlled substances by its drivers, did not have an effective program to ensure its drivers were qualified and licensed, did not have a program to control its drivers’ hours of service, and did not have a program to ensure its vehicles were appropriately inspected and repaired.
FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order states that Jaypur Logistics’ “…complete and utter disregard for the (federal safety regulations) substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death for your drivers and the motoring public if your operations are not discontinued immediately.”
Failing to comply with the provisions of the federal imminent hazard order may result in civil penalties of up to $29,893 for each violation. Jaypur Logistics may also be assessed civil penalties of not less than $11,956 for providing transportation in interstate commerce without operating authority registration, and up to $16,864 for operating a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce without USDOT Number registration. Knowing and/or willful violations may result in criminal penalties