Dangerous Truck Companies Keep Restarting Under New Names

Every year, over 5,000 people die in commercial truck crashes across the United States. While many are tragic accidents, a disturbing number involve “chameleon carriers”—unsafe trucking fleets that dodge federal penalties by simply changing their names. And despite years of warnings, the regulatory loophole allowing them to operate remains wide open.Chameleon CarriersThe mechanism is straightforward. When a commercial carrier racks up a large number of safety violations, out-of-service orders, or crippling fines, the operators don’t pay up. Instead, they fold the company. Days later, the exact same trucks, drivers, and management apply for a new Department of Transportation (DOT) number. For roughly $1,000, they buy a clean slate. Repeat offen …