The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ordered Kansas-based commercial truck company HP Distribution LLP and an affiliated company, HP Distribution LLC, to immediately cease all transportation services based on serious safety violations that posed an imminent hazard to public safety.

FMCSA shut down HP Distribution LLP following a thorough review of the company’s operations that uncovered extensive drivers' hours-of-service violations.

“Commercial truck and bus companies that violate federal safety standards and jeopardize public safety will be shut down,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  “Safety is always our top priority.”

FMCSA immediately placed HP Distribution, its vehicles and drivers out of service after agency investigators found a range of serious safety violations. For example, investigators discovered that the company knowingly permitted its drivers to falsify the number of hours they operated the vehicle in an attempt to conceal hours-of-service violations. Additionally, HP Distribution dispatched potentially fatigued drivers on interstate trips without regard for the safety of the drivers or the traveling public.

“This case sends a clear message that we will use every tool at our disposal to identify and remove unsafe truck and bus companies from our roads,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “Our agency is committed to raising the bar for commercial vehicle and driver safety.”

A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service orders can be viewed at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/about/news/2012/HP-Distribution-IH-OOS-Order-signed.pdf.