A.  Contract carriers shall inspect all motor vehicles and components utilized for the transportation of railroad employees at least once in each twelve-month period in compliance with 49 C.F.R. § 396.17 and Appendix G.  Such inspection shall be performed by an individual qualified to perform such inspections in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 396.19.

B.  A contract carrier shall require each transport vehicle driver it employs to complete a written motor vehicle report upon completion of operation of the motor vehicle in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 396.11.

C.  A contract carrier shall establish a maintenance and repair program to include weekly inspections of the motor vehicles operated in the transportation of railroad employees.  The program shall include checking parts and accessories for safety and proper operation at all times including overall cleanliness of the motor vehicle.  A contract carrier and its officers, drivers, agents, and employees concerned with the inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles shall comply with and be knowledgeable of the contract carrier’s maintenance and repair program.  A contract carrier shall maintain records for its maintenance and repair program for each motor vehicle for a time period of one year. In the event a motor vehicle changes ownership, records shall be maintained by the contract carrier for a period of six months.  The records shall include:

(1)  Identifying information of the motor vehicle to include vehicle identification number, make, model, year of manufacture, and company identification number if so provided.

(2)  Owner information if the motor vehicle is not owned by the contract carrier.

(3)  Inspection history to include documentation of all repairs and maintenance activity.

D.  All motor vehicles operated by contract carriers shall have the following:

(1)  Tires with sufficient tread in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 393.75.

(2)  A fully inflated spare tire.

(3)  A secure location for personal baggage, including proper restraints.

(4)  Fully operational seatbelts for all passenger seats.

(5)  Traction devices, studs, or chains in the event of inclement weather.

(6)  An operational heater and air conditioner with fans.

(7)  An emergency road kit containing a tire inflation aerosol, flares or reflective triangles, battery cables, a fire extinguisher, and a readily available first aid kit complying with the standards set forth in 29 C.F.R. § 1910.151, Appendix A, and the American National Standards Institute Z308.1 minimum requirements.

E.  All motor vehicles operated by contract carriers shall be equipped with an operable amber light or strobe light which shall be mounted to the roof of the motor vehicle in the rear one-third portion in order to provide warning to motorists  that the vehicle has slowed or stopped on a roadway.

F.  All motor vehicles operated by contract carriers shall not be operated in a condition that is likely to cause a motor vehicle accident or mechanical breakdown.

G.  A contract carrier shall allow an employee of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or its designee access to:

(1)  A facility to determine compliance with this Section.

(2)  Records or information related to a motor vehicle accident investigation.

Acts 2013, No. 193, §1.