The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has failed to adequately improve its oversight of the commercial driver license program, leaving the nation vulnerable to terror attacks and poorly trained drivers, according to media reports on comments from Inspector General Kenneth Mead.

In a June 10 letter to FMCSA Administrator Annette Sandberg and other officials, Mead said the government had done a better job screening airline passengers since the 9/11 attacks than the agency had done ensuring CDL holders are who they claim to be.

Mead said that while FMCSA had agreed to tighten CDL procedures through a planned rulemaking in October 2003, it now appears the agency would not improve its program until at least May 2005.

“We are concerned that the continuing delay in issuing this proposed regulation exposes us to increased risk,” Mead said in his letter.