Background

The Motor Carrier Services Division (MCS) is a federal grant program that provides financial assistance to states to reduce the number and severity of crashes and hazardous materials incidents involving commercial motor vehicles (CMV). The goal of the MCSAP is to reduce CMV-involved crashes, fatalities, and injuries through consistent, uniform, and effective CMV safety programs.

Investing grant monies in appropriate safety programs increases the likelihood that safety defects, driver deficiencies, and unsafe motor carrier practices are detected and corrected before they become contributing factors to crashes. Montana’s commercial vehicle safety program is a cooperative effort between MDT’s Motor Carrier Services Division, Montana Highway Patrol and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Program highlights include: 1) interstate and intrastate motor carrier compliance operations; 2) roadside driver and vehicle safety inspection and enforcement program; and, 3) motor carrier and public education function.