Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 3.djvu/473

 PUBLIC LAW 98-554—OCT. 30, 1984

98 STAT. 2845

(3) specific time deadlines for action by the Department of Transportation and the Interstate Commerce Commission in making fitness determinations. (b) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a copy of the procedure established under subsection (a) of this section. (c) The rules adopted under this section shall supersede all Federal rules regarding safety fitness and safety rating of motor carriers in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Interstate Commerce Commission (1) shall find any applicant for authority to operate as a motor carrier to be unfit if the applicant does not meet the safety fitness requirements established under subsection (a) of this section, and (2) shall deny such application. HEAVY TRUCK STUDY

SEC. 216. (a) The Secretary shall undertake a comprehensive study of safety characteristics of heavy trucks, the unique problems related to heavy trucks, and the manner in which such trucks are driven. Such study shall include an examination of the handling, braking, stability, and creishworthiness of heavy trucks, and an examination of the programs and needs of enforcement agencies to assure compliance with traffic laws by commercial motor vehicle drivers. In carrying out such study, the Secretary shall consult with truck manufacturers, employee representatives, truck operators, and other interested parties. Not later than September 30, 1986, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the findings of such study. (b) There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 1986 and 1987 such sums as may be necessary to conduct the study required under subsection (a) of this section.

49 USC app. 2513.

Report.

Appropriation authorization.

TRUCK OCCUPANT PROTECTION

SEC. 217. (a) The Secretary shall make a full investigation and study of crash protection for truck occupants. Such study shall examine potential and known hazards to truck occupants and means of improving truck-occupant safety. Such study shall also include potential performance standards, if any, to be met by truck manufacturers. In carrying out such study, the Secretary shall consult with truck manufacturers, employee representatives, truck operators, and other interested parties. The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of this investigation and study not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act. Qj) There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 1986 and 1987 such sums as may be necessary to undertake the study required by subsection (a) of this section.

Study. 49 USC app. 2514.

Report.

Appropriation authorization.

STUDY OF SAFETY PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES

SEC. 218. (a) The Secretary shall conduct a study of the safety performance of commercial motor vehicles. The study shall examine the effectiveness of individual State regulations governing the operations of such vehicles in promoting safety. Such study shall also investigate the need to subject such operations, in whole or in part, to the commercial motor vehicle safety regulations issued under this title. The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the find-

49 USC app. 2515.

Report.

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