The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration does not protect drivers who try to comply with their rules. I have been a driver for over 10 years and have yet to find a major company that will not fire you for questioning safety violations. Authority to protect drivers from unlawful termination was given to the Dept. of Labor which in 2006 denied 92% of all claims of wrongfull termination under the STAA act. The major truck repair shops like the TA have been forced to by pass air bags, air dryers, and other air assisted parts, compromising braking systems, or loose the fuel accounts. All tire repairs are denied if the tire holds air even at below 0/32 with photos.

In a recent company orientation with 100 class A CDL drivers just out of school I asked them if anyone knew what an air dryer was. The answer was that thing in the bathroom that you dry your hands with.

I work for a major drop and hook company who issued me a tractor with the left front hub blown and a air leak in a bag. I have been fired twice for refusing to drive unsafe trucks. Three times for requesting DOT inspections when companies refuse to comply. This is just on short cutting repairs. Hours of service violations I do not even go there because I know that is why they have 100 students a week in orietation.

This is not a joke and the trucking industry has a license to kill issued by the Dept of Labor. Self insured companies that denie all claims.