FMCSR 393.124(b) — Cargo Securement for Concrete Pipe

Yes—very likely. Across our inspection records, 393.124(b) citations resulted in an out-of-service order in 88.9% of cases (8 out of 9 all-time citations). That's substantially higher than the national average OOS rate of 31.4% across all FMCSR codes. If an inspector finds concrete pipe that doesn't meet securement rules, expect your truck to be stopped until the cargo is properly secured.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 7 points. Under FMCSA's CSA 2.0 system, points are multiplied by the number of violations in your last 30 days, so a single citation applies 7 points initially. If you accumulate multiple safety violations in a short window, that multiplier increases your overall CSA percentile ranking and can trigger interventions from your state motor carrier safety division.

1. Stop your vehicle if you're still mobile; do not leave the inspection site until the inspector releases you.
2. Secure or offload the cargo following DOT securement rules for concrete pipe before resuming transport.
3. Document the corrective action (photos, weights, tie-down placement) and keep the citation.
4. Request a re-inspection if you're not OOS'd, or wait for your carrier's maintenance team to clear you.
5. Report the citation to your carrier immediately so they can update your safety record and investigate root cause.

Yes. While 393.124(b) ranks #2230 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by total citation volume (only 9 all-time), its OOS rate of 88.9% is far above peer codes in the Vehicle Maintenance category. For comparison: inoperable lamps (393.9) have an OOS rate of 6.9%, and general inspection/maintenance issues (396.3) sit at 45.3%. The 88.9% rate signals this violation is treated as a critical safety defect by inspectors.

Yes, you can challenge the citation through FMCSA's DataQs (Data Quality System) if you believe the finding was incorrect or improperly documented. DataQs submissions must be filed within 90 days of the inspection. Your carrier's safety manager can help submit the challenge. However, because 393.124(b) is an equipment/securement defect (not a documentation error), your challenge will need evidence that the pipe was properly secured when cited—photos, securement calculations, or witness statements are strongest.

Very rarely. Our inspection database shows only 9 citations for 393.124(b) in all recorded history, with zero citations in the last 12 months and zero in the last 90 days. This is a low-frequency violation, suggesting either concrete pipe shipments are uncommon in heavy-haul traffic, or most carriers comply with securement requirements. When it is cited, the 88.9% OOS outcome indicates inspectors are confident in their findings.

Freightliner trucks (FRHT) account for the plurality of 393.124(b) citations in our records, with 4 citations all-time. Peterbilt and other heavy-duty tractors each have 2 citations. The concentration in Freightliner units reflects that manufacturer's market share in concrete-hauling operations rather than a mechanical defect—the violation is about driver/dispatcher failure to secure cargo, not the truck itself.

The Quikrete Companies LLC (USDOT 51938) has the highest count with 2 citations for 393.124(b). Seven other carriers—including Thomas A. McKissick Inc., A-1 Transit Corporation, and Morrell & Morrell LP—each have 1 citation all-time. The low volume per carrier reflects how rare this violation is. Most are building-materials and specialty-haul operators, confirming that concrete pipe citations occur in niche market segments.