§31131 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

Sets three main goals for commercial motor vehicle safety: make trucks and buses operate more safely; reduce health risks for drivers and other workers who affect carrier safety; and increase following of traffic laws and safety and health rules. Congress finds four things: improving safety will lower deaths, injuries, and property damage; more uniform rules and stronger enforcement would help cut those harms; protecting drivers’ health is in the public interest; and State governments can help the federal government keep commercial operations safe and healthy.

Title 49, §31131

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The purposes of this subchapter are—

(1)to promote the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles;

(2)to minimize dangers to the health of operators of commercial motor vehicles and other employees whose employment directly affects motor carrier safety; and

(3)to ensure increased compliance with traffic laws and with the commercial motor vehicle safety and health regulations and standards prescribed and orders issued under this chapter.

(b)Congress finds—

(1)it is in the public interest to enhance commercial motor vehicle safety and thereby reduce highway fatalities, injuries, and property damage;

(2)improved, more uniform commercial motor vehicle safety measures and strengthened enforcement would reduce the number of fatalities and injuries and the level of property damage related to commercial motor vehicle operations;

(3)enhanced protection of the health of commercial motor vehicle operators is in the public interest; and

(4)interested State governments can provide valuable assistance to the United States Government in ensuring that commercial motor vehicle operations are conducted safely and healthfully.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 31131(a)49 App.:2501.Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98–554, §§ 202, 203, 98 Stat. 2832. 31131(b)49 App.:2502. In subsection (a)(3), the words “this chapter” are substituted for “this Act” because title II of the Act of October 30, 1984 (Public Law 98–554, 98 Stat. 2832), amended and enacted provisions restated in this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Exemptions From Requirements of This Subchapter for Certain Farm VehiclesFor provisions relating to exemptions from certain requirements of this subchapter with respect to certain farm vehicles and individuals operating those vehicles, see section 32934 of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as a note under section 31136 of this title. Traffic Law Initiative Pub. L. 106–159, title II, § 220, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1769, provided that: “(a) In General.—In cooperation with one or more States, the Secretary may carry out a program to develop innovative methods of improving motor carrier compliance with traffic laws. Such methods may include the use of photography and other imaging technologies. “(b) Report.—The Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of any program conducted under this section, together with any recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate.”

§31131 Purposes and Findings

Summary

Title 49, §31131

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Citations & Metadata