The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shut down Alabama-based trucking company MTI Transportation LLC based on evidence that it was a chameleon operation for two unsafe carriers previously shut down by the agency.

FMCSA placed MTI Transportation out of service after safety investigators discovered the company was transporting goods for the former BM&L Trucking LLC and IDM Transportation Inc.

On May 11, the FMCSA issued an imminent hazard out-of-service order against both BM&L Trucking and IDM Transportation for serious federal safety violations in the areas of vehicle maintenance and driver drug and alcohol testing compliance.

The agency's safety audit of MTI Transportation found that three of the company's drivers were previously employed by BM&L Trucking or IDM Transportation. MTI Transportation used two commercial vehicles still registered to BM&L Trucking or IDM Transportation. The May 2012 imminent hazard out-of-service order now also applies to MTI Transportation.

"The practice of unsafe companies quickly reincarnating as chameleon companies to continue operations is unacceptable. Our agency is constantly doing everything within its current legal authority to keep one step ahead of these illegal actors," said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro.

The out of service order can be viewed here.

Related Stories:

5/17/2012 DOT Orders BM&L Trucking to Shut Down

3/27/2012 FMCSA Urged to Step Up Effort Against Reincarnated Carriers

4/30/2012 FMCSA Cracks Down on Reincarnated Carriers