What 177.842(d) means in plain language
FMCSR 177.842(d) governs how radioactive material (RAM) packages must be secured inside a vehicle. Specifically, it requires that RAM packages be properly blocked and braced to prevent movement during transport.
When you're hauling radioactive material, the package can't simply sit loose in the cargo area. It must be immobilized using blocking (solid structures placed against the package) and bracing (tensioning straps, dunnage, or other restraint systems) so that sudden stops, turns, or road vibration won't shift it around. Movement of a RAM package during transport creates safety and regulatory compliance risks—both for you and for the public.
This is a hazardous materials transportation requirement, which means federal inspectors take it seriously at roadside inspection stations.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 177.842(d) citations are extremely rare. We've recorded just 3 all-time citations for this code. In the last 12 months, we documented 0 citations, and in the last 90 days, 0 citations as well.
Despite the low citation volume, when officers do cite this violation, enforcement can be swift: our data shows a 33.3% out-of-service rate. This is slightly higher than the all-FMCSR average of 31.4%, meaning inspectors are putting vehicles out of service roughly one-third of the time they find a blocking-and-bracing violation. The other two-thirds result in a citation but allow continued operation.
177.842(d) ranks #2551 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, placing it in the lowest tier of enforcement actions. This reflects both the specialized nature of RAM transportation and the relative rarity of improper blocking or bracing practices in the carrier fleet.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show that citations for 177.842(d) have been distributed across three carriers: JPS CARRIERS INC (USDOT 2266357) with 1 citation, MARUTI NANDAN TRANSPORTATION AND COURRIER SERVICES (USDOT 2890726) with 1 citation, and RABA KISTNER INC (USDOT 4193889) with 1 citation. Because the citation count is so low, no single carrier pattern emerges, and geographic or operational trends are not statistically meaningful at this time.
Vehicle make data shows only RAM vehicles appearing in our citation records for this code—a logical match, given the regulation's focus on RAM package transport.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
When we compare 177.842(d) to other hazardous materials violations in the same regulatory category, the enforcement profile differs sharply:
General loading/unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC and 177.834(a)) are by far the most common, with 3,954 and 3,839 citations respectively. These carry extremely high out-of-service rates—99.2% and 97.9%—meaning inspectors almost always pull vehicles off the road when they find these violations.
Placarding violations (177.817(a)) show 2,274 citations with a 75.1% OOS rate, also substantially higher than 177.842(d).
Movement of damaged hazmat packages (177.823(a)) has 1,829 citations and a 51.8% OOS rate—still more aggressive than the 33.3% rate for blocking and bracing.
In context, 177.842(d) is enforced far less frequently than peer violations, and when cited, the out-of-service rate is closer to the all-FMCSR baseline. This may reflect both the lower likelihood of this violation occurring in real operations and a somewhat less severe enforcement posture when it does occur.
How to avoid it
If you haul radioactive material packages, use these concrete steps before and during your pre-trip:
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Inspect your cargo area before loading. Check that all blocking and bracing equipment—wooden blocks, steel frames, dunnage bags, or tie-down straps—are present, undamaged, and rated for the weight and dimensions of the RAM packages you'll be carrying.
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Load packages securely in the center of your vehicle. Position each package so it's surrounded by adequate blocking material or restrained by bracing straps. Never assume a package won't move; use the full restraint system.
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Verify blocking before departure. Physically push or test the package from multiple angles. It should not shift measurably. If it moves, add more blocking or bracing until it's solid.
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Document your compliance. Many carriers photograph the loaded and braced cargo before departure. If inspected, you can show the inspector that you followed blocking-and-bracing procedures.
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Know your cargo specs. Review the RAM package shipping papers and your load plan. Different packages and different vehicle types may require different blocking configurations. Don't assume last week's setup fits this week's load.
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Conduct mid-trip inspections on long hauls. Stop every few hours and visually confirm that bracing straps are still tight and blocking material hasn't shifted.
RAM transport is specialized and regulated tightly because public safety depends on it. Taking 10 extra minutes to verify blocking and bracing at the start of your shift is the difference between a clean inspection and a citation—and more importantly, between secure cargo and a potential hazard on the road.