Roadside inspections give a clear snapshot of how commercial trucks are performing across the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tracks vehicle and driver inspections, out‑of‑service (OOS) orders, and reportable crashes to help enforcement agencies focus on carriers that may need extra attention.

Three carriers with higher‑than‑average vehicle OOS rates

THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, a Las Vegas personal‑injury firm, examined FMCSA records for three interstate carriers that each operate more than 500 power units and had at least 400 vehicle inspections in the past 24 months. All three carriers posted vehicle OOS rates above the FMCSA national average of 22.26%.

North American Van Lines reported 1,333 power units and 1,357 drivers. Inspectors conducted 485 vehicle inspections, issuing 152 OOS orders for a 31.3% rate—9 percentage points higher than the national average. Driver OOS orders were lower, at 3.9% of 883 driver inspections, compared with the 6.67% national average. The carrier logged 34 reportable crashes, including two fatal incidents.

Transco Lines operates 565 power units and 655 drivers. Of 671 vehicle inspections, 199 resulted in OOS orders, yielding a 29.7% rate. Driver OOS orders were only 1% (14 of 1,343 inspections). Transco recorded 56 reportable crashes, one of which involved a fatality.

Atlas Van Lines has the largest fleet among the three, with 2,731 power units. Inspectors performed 879 vehicle inspections, issuing 212 OOS orders for a 24.1% rate—just above the national average. Driver OOS orders stood at 4.3% (71 of 1,634 inspections). Atlas reported 61 crashes, none fatal.

What the numbers mean for drivers and communities

All three carriers remained authorized to operate and retained a satisfactory federal safety rating at the time of the July 2026 FMCSA snapshots. The agency cautions that OOS rates reflect the percentage of inspections that ended with an order, not the proportion of an entire fleet that is unsafe. Inspection frequency can vary, and agencies may target specific carriers, locations, or conditions.

Higher vehicle OOS rates can signal maintenance or equipment issues that, if left unaddressed, could affect road safety for everyone—from long‑haul drivers to local commuters. Conversely, lower driver OOS rates suggest that driver qualifications and conduct are generally meeting regulatory standards.

Geographic context

Each carrier’s headquarters sits near a major freight corridor: North American Van Lines in Fort Wayne, Indiana (I‑69 corridor); Transco Lines in Russellville, Arkansas (I‑40 corridor); and Atlas Van Lines in Evansville, Indiana (southern I‑69 corridor). While these highways are key routes for national freight, the data do not confirm that the carriers’ trucks primarily travel those specific roads.

Understanding these inspection outcomes helps local communities, law‑enforcement agencies, and families of drivers gauge the safety of the trucks that travel on their streets. It also provides a benchmark for other carriers seeking to improve maintenance practices and reduce OOS incidents.

Key takeaways

• Vehicle OOS rates for the three carriers ranged from 24.1% to 31.3%, all above the 22.26% national average.
• Driver OOS rates were below the national average for each carrier, indicating relatively strong driver compliance.
• All carriers maintained satisfactory federal safety ratings despite higher vehicle OOS percentages.
• Crash counts add context but do not assign fault; each carrier reported a mix of fatal, injury, and tow‑required incidents.

Continued monitoring of FMCSA data will allow regulators, industry leaders, and the traveling public to track safety trends and encourage improvements where needed.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.