61-8-801. Purpose -- definition. (1) The purpose of this part is to reduce the number of commercial motor vehicle accidents in Montana, to provide greater safety to the motoring public and others by establishing stringent criteria governing the operation of commercial motor vehicles, and to deny the privilege of operating commercial motor vehicles upon the public streets and highways to those commercial motor vehicle operators who are not qualified.
     (2) To fulfill this purpose, the legislature intends that this part:
     (a) establish criteria and procedures for the operation of commercial motor vehicles that require safety practices commensurate with the danger inherent to their operation;
     (b) provide for increased administrative punishment for commercial motor vehicle operators who use alcohol while operating commercial motor vehicles;
     (c) provide greater control of commercial motor vehicle operators using the streets and highways; and
     (d) conform Montana's laws on commercial driver licensing with federal regulations based on the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, Public Law 99-570, as amended.
     (3) As used in this part, "hazardous material" means a substance or material, defined or listed as a hazardous material in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, in a quantity and form that may pose an unreasonable risk to health and safety or property when transported.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 378, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 207, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 211, Ch. 542, L. 2005.