What 397.67 means in plain language
FMCSR 397.67 requires you to follow specific routes when transporting radioactive materials. The regulation isn't about whether you can carry radioactive cargo—it's about the path you take and the rules governing that journey. When DOT designates a particular route for radioactive shipments, you must use it. Deviating without authorization violates this code.
Radioactive materials transport is heavily regulated because of public safety. DOT routing requirements exist to minimize exposure in populated areas and ensure emergency responders know where these shipments travel. If an inspector finds that you navigated around a prescribed route or failed to follow explicit routing instructions on your shipping papers, you'll be cited for 397.67.
What our enforcement data actually shows
Across our 13 million+ inspection records, 397.67 is enforced sparingly. We see 247 all-time citations for this code, with 126 citations in the last 12 months and 14 in the last 90 days. This ranks 397.67 at #1162 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume—making it relatively uncommon in roadside enforcement.
What stands out most: the out-of-service rate is 0.0%. In our database, every single 397.67 citation resulted in a warning or citation issued while the vehicle remained in service. No driver was pulled out of service for this violation. This contrasts sharply with the all-FMCSR average OOS rate of 31.4%, meaning 397.67 is treated as a compliance issue rather than an immediate safety threat requiring removal from operation.
The citation trend over the past year shows variability. June 2025 saw a spike with 21 citations, while other months ranged from 2 to 14. This suggests enforcement is driven by seasonal shipment patterns and targeted compliance sweeps rather than consistent month-to-month activity.
Who gets cited most
Our inspection records show Texas dominates the citation count for 397.67, with 64 citations over the last 180 days and a 0.0% OOS rate. The absence of other states in our top-states list reflects the concentration of radioactive materials transport through petroleum and chemical corridors, where Texas leads nationally.
Among carriers, our data shows fleets such as United Petroleum Transports Inc with 23 all-time citations, followed by Star Transport LLC and Texas Transeastern Inc, each with 13 and 11 citations respectively. These carriers operate in heavy hazmat corridors where routing compliance is audited more frequently. The citation patterns do not indicate systemic non-compliance—they reflect exposure: the more radioactive shipments a carrier handles, the higher the probability of a citation if routing discipline slips.
How severe is this compared to similar codes
In the hazardous materials category, 397.67 sits in the middle tier by enforcement volume but far lower by OOS impact. General loading and unloading violations under 177.834A-HMC account for 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate—nearly 16 times more citations and enforcement orders pulled vehicles immediately. Placarding violations under 177.817(a) generated 2,274 citations with a 75.1% OOS rate.
By contrast, Emergency Response Information maintenance under 172.602(c)(1) shows 1,464 citations with a 0.0% OOS rate, matching 397.67's zero out-of-service performance. This suggests both routing and record-keeping violations are treated as correctable documentation issues rather than imminent hazards.
How to avoid it
Before you dispatch:
- Obtain routing instructions directly from the shipper or consignor. Verify the prescribed route on your shipping papers matches the route DOT requires for that radioactive material class.
- Cross-reference your GPS or dispatch system against any restricted-route alerts flagged in your load tender. If the system marks certain highways or areas as off-limits, honor that restriction.
- Confirm that your carrier's hazmat training covers the specific radioactive materials you're hauling. Co-occurring citations show that driver fatigue (392.2RG) sometimes appears alongside routing violations, suggesting fatigue can impair route adherence.
During your trip:
- Stick to the route defined in your paperwork. Do not use shortcuts or detours, even if they save time. Radio dispatch if road conditions force a deviation and get explicit re-authorization before changing course.
- Inspect your vehicle before departure, especially brake systems. Our data shows co-occurring brake tubing violations (393.45DLPC, 393.45B2PC), indicating inspectors examining routing compliance may also check mechanical fitness. Heil, Freightliner, and Peterbilt models appear most frequently in our 397.67 citation records, so if you operate one of these, add extra pre-trip rigor.
- Keep your Emergency Response information (placard cards, contact numbers, material data) accessible and current. One co-occurring citation involved 172.602C1 (maintenance/accessibility of Emergency Response info), confirming that routing enforcement often triggers a full hazmat audit.
After delivery:
- Document the route you took and the time you spent in transit. If questioned, this record proves compliance.