EX-OMC Chiefs Differ on Safety Office

September 30, 1999 9:34 AM, EDT

The first two men to run the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Motor Carriers, who are now pursuing other careers, have differing views of what changes should be made in the way the Washington regulates truck and bus safety.

Richard Landis, who served as OMC’s chief from its creation in 1985 until January 1993, believes that a stand-alone agency for motor carriers at the Department of Transportation might be the best approach in today’s politically charged environment.

“It’s probably very appropriate for a separate administration focused on commercial motor vehicle operations,” Landis said. “OMC is clearly having a series of difficulties being part of FHWA.”

George Reagle, successor to Landis as associate administrator of motor carriers from December 1993 until he was fired in January 1999 for improperly lobbying Congress to keep OMC where it is, disagrees (1-25, p. 1).

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