§17E-1-2. Statement of intent and purpose.

(a) The purpose of this article is to implement 49 U.S.C. et seq., The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, 49 U.S.C. §5103a, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept or Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 and to reduce or prevent commercial motor vehicle accidents, fatalities and injuries by:

(1) Permitting commercial drivers to hold only one license;

(2) Disqualifying commercial drivers who have committed certain serious traffic offenses;

(3) Permitting only commercial drivers who do not present a security threat to operate commercial vehicles carrying a hazardous material; and

(4) Strengthening licensing and testing standards.

(b) This article is a remedial law and shall be liberally construed to promote the public health, safety and welfare. Where this chapter is silent, the general driver licensing provisions and the provisions of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations apply.