The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on Tuesday declared Houston, Texas-based JPL Logistics LLC an “imminent hazard” to public safety and ordered the motor carrier to immediately cease operations.
FMCSA determined that JPL Logistics began operating so Jaypur Logistics could avoid the Imminent Hazard Order issued to it earlier the same month. The Imminent Hazard Order issued to Jaypur Logistics, which is still in effect, specifically notes that a motor carrier “cannot avoid this order by continuing operations under the name of another person or company.”
Overdrive's and CCJ's calls to JPL's line for comment Thursday went unanswered.
FMCSA at the time identified Jaypur Logistics for investigation based on the carrier’s widespread violations documented by FMCSA and its partners during roadside inspections. According to FMCSA, Jaypur Logistics had almost double the national average vehicle out-of-service rate (40%) and over five times the national average driver out-of-service rate (31.1%). A Jaypur Logistics driver was stopped May 7, the same day the Imminent Hazard Order was served on Jaypur Logistics, for violating the Imminent Hazard Order and placed out of service. Jaypur Logistics immediately provided the driver with the DOT number of JPL Logistics to complete the trip, FMCSA said.
FMCSA’s imminent hazard out of service order states that JPL Logistics’ “avoidance of compliance with the [federal safety regulations] and the Jaypur IH Order substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death for your drivers and the motoring public if your operations are not discontinued immediately.”
Tuesday's order extends to the carriers' President and CEO Purav Shah, "individually and any other business or name under which Purav V. Shah conducts motor carrier operations, including but not limited to JPL Logistics LLC." The order also applies to all of Shah's officers, agents and employees, as well as all commercial motor vehicles operated on his behalf.
Failing to comply with the provisions of the imminent hazard order could result in civil penalties of up to $29, 893 for each violation. JPL Logistics could 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 CMV in interstate commerce without USDOT Number registration. Knowing and/or willful violations could also result in criminal penalties.
