396.7 - Unsafe Operation Forbidden

Occasionally we come across vehicles that are an imminent hazard and there is nothing in the OOS criteria to address the issue. This request for action is to come up with a solution to prevent vehicles that pose an imminent hazard to continue their trip unless they have complied with the OOS.

Justification or Need There have been several instances where we have come across vehicles that have a violation(s) that is severe enough that if it was allowed to continue the likelihood of an accident is very high. Unfortunately, the OOS criteria does not cover all imminent hazards. The following are examples; 1. CMV was traveling down the interstate blowing smoke so badly that visibility was impaired to the point that cars could not pass causing a backup on the highway. Travelers were calling in complaining about the vehicle. CMV was pulled over but there was nothing in the OOS criteria to get the imminent hazard off the highway. 2. During winter in Oregon we get CMV operators who don't chain up when required. We have increased fines and have done an advertising campaign without any effect. CMV's, operating without chains, have caused up to 100 car pile ups, in a single incident, and costs Oregon millions of dollars every year. Also, these accidents cause delay in commerce and cause loss of life. Being able to place these trucks OOS would force them to get chains and prevent them from operating as an imminent hazard. 3. A suburban pulling a carnival ride is overloaded on the tongue causing the rear of the suburban to squat down to the point that the vehicle is unable to drive straight down the road. The combination was going down the freeway doing 25-30 MPH and could not maintain lane. The vehicle was an imminent hazard and there was nothing in the OOS criteria to place it OOS. 4. A passenger bus driver hit an owl which completely shattered his windshield. Visibility and depth perception were highly impaired. The driver reported the broken window to the company and was told to proceed to the shop as the broken window was only a violation and not OOS. The bus was full of passengers and the driver refused to operate the vehicle, however in the absence of his refusal, inspectors could not place the vehicle OOS for the imminent hazard.

396.7 Unsafe operation forbidden. Any motor vehicle discovered to be in an unsafe condition, posing an imminent hazard, while being operated on a highway. Place vehicle out of service until unsafe condition is no longer an imminent hazard as to endanger any person or property (see note below). NOTE: Inspectors must articulate in the notes section why the condition was unsafe and presented an imminent hazard to roadway safety based on vehicle condition and or likelihood of causing a crash. Create Inspection Bulletin outlining scenarios and guidance on when to use this violation and OOS.