The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced that it has ordered the immediate shut-down of two trucking operations carriers, each for disregarding federal safety regulations and putting their companies’ own drivers and the public at risk.

The two trucking operations ordered shut-down by FMCSA are GEG Construction and Allen Quandahl.

Federal investigators found that GEG Construction, of Indian Orchard, Mass., and company owner, Gil Gomes, failed to ensure that vehicles were systematically and properly inspected, repaired and maintained, and operated vehicles in an out-of-service condition. 

The company employed drivers before they received negative pre-employment drug and alcohol test results as required by federal law. In one instance, a driver without a valid commercial driver’s license was allowed to operate a commercial vehicle.

Federal investigators found that Allen Quandahl of Waukon, Iowa, failed to ensure that its vehicles were properly inspected, repaired, and maintained, resulting in systemic accidents. 

The carrier failed to monitor and ensure that its drivers complied with controlled substances and alcohol use and testing regulations. The company employed drivers before receiving negative pre-employment drug and alcohol test results as required by federal law. 

Drivers were not required by the company to turn in hours-of-service records or other required documentation such as driving itineraries and fuel receipts.  In one instance, a driver without a valid commercial driver’s license was allowed to operate a commercial vehicle.