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January 2, 2001 8:55 AM, EST

Motor carriers that are delinquent in paying fines levied by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will be taken off the road, under a rule that goes into effect April 16.

After that date, fines must be paid within 90 days of the payment date specified or companies will be prohibited from operating, FMCSA said. Carriers flouting a shutdown order and continuing to operate will be subject to additional penalties, including possible revocation of their operating authority.

“We cannot and will not tolerate those who repeatedly violate highway safety regulations, consistently put the public at risk and refuse to be held accountable,” Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater said in announcing the rule.

FMCSA has authority to permit carriers to pay fines in installments but can require immediate payment of the entire amount due if a carrier misses a payment. Not paying the full amount will now bring automatic suspension of operations.

For the full story, see the Jan. 1 print edition of Transport Topics. .