There are a few things everyone needs to know before boxing up for a move. Learn how to identify red flag indicators of moving fraud and how to report suspected fraudulent moving c... moreThere are a few things everyone needs to know before boxing up for a move. Learn how to identify red flag indicators of moving fraud and how to report suspected fraudulent moving companies to the DOT Office of Inspector General. less
Safe Drone Operation
There are a few things every drone operator should know before taking flight. Learn the basic do's and don'ts and find out how to report suspected illegal drone operations to the D... moreThere are a few things every drone operator should know before taking flight. Learn the basic do's and don'ts and find out how to report suspected illegal drone operations to the DOT Office of Inspector General. less
Opening Statement: NHTSA’s Efforts To Identify Safety-Related Vehicle Defects
One June 23, 2015, the Inspector General (IG) testified before the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (N... moreOne June 23, 2015, the Inspector General (IG) testified before the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) vehicle safety oversight. The IG focused on our office’s recent assessment of the procedures NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) uses to identify vehicle safety issues that warrant further investigation. First, the IG noted that ODI lacks the procedures needed to collect complete and accurate vehicle safety data. Deficiencies in ODI’s vehicle safety data are due in part to the Agency’s lack of detailed guidance on what information manufacturers and consumers should report—resulting in inconsistent data that ODI investigative chiefs consider to be of little use. Second, the IG noted weaknesses in ODI’s processes for analyzing vehicle safety data. Specifically, ODI does not follow standard statistical practices when analyzing early warning reporting data, and it does not thoroughly screen consumer complaints or adequately train or supervise its staff. Third, the IG stated that ODI’s process for determining when to investigate potential safety defects is insufficient to prompt needed recalls and other corrective actions. While ODI has identified factors for deciding whether an investigation is warranted, it has not developed sufficient guidance or reached consensus on how these factors should be applied. ODI’s investigation decisions also lack transparency and accountability. Finally, the IG discussed how the three procedural weaknesses impeded ODI’s handling of the GM ignition switch defect—which, as of this month, has been linked to more than 110 fatalities and 220 injuries.
To view OIG's written testimony go to: https://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/32539 less
Opening Statement: Foreign Countries’ Processes for Operating Air Transportation Systems
On March 24, 2015, the Assistant Inspector General for Aviation Audits highlighted our work on other nations’ air traffic management structures before the House Transportation an... moreOn March 24, 2015, the Assistant Inspector General for Aviation Audits highlighted our work on other nations’ air traffic management structures before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. The Assistant Inspector General testified that the four countries we examined—Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France—have separated their air traffic services from their safety oversight and regulatory functions. While safety and regulatory functions remain government-controlled, each nation has commercialized its air traffic control function into an air navigation service provider (ANSP) using various organizational structures. The ANSPs are financially self-supporting and finance their operations primarily through user fees, but have borrowing authority for modernization and infrastructure projects. The Assistant Inspector General also noted that the ANSPs do not embark on large-modernization efforts or conduct extensive aviation research and development. Rather, they implement new technologies incrementally, using a variety of methods, such as purchasing commercial-off-the-shelf technologies. The Assistant Inspector General also highlighted factors that the Subcommittee may wish to take into account if it considers making changes to FAA’s organizational and financing structures. These include differences between the U.S. aviation system and other countries’ systems as well as lessons learned from examining other nations’ experiences in establishing independent air traffic organizations.
To view OIG's written testimony go to: https://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/32436 less
