NC trucking company owner may face prison, fines over falsified driving logs

11 hours on-duty. 10-hours off. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, that is the rule for drivers of property-carrying vehicles, which includes Mabe trucking company based in Eden, N.C. However, a recent investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed that at Mabe, the number of hours logged was not always the same as the amount of hours actually driven.

Roger D. "Butch" Mabe, Jr., owner of Mabe, pleaded guilty today to issuing false statements on the number of hours his drivers were clocking, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in Greensboro.

Mabe and the corporation are alleged to have falsified such logs in an effort to exceed the number of permitted driving hours, and avoid detection by law enforcement.

Truck drivers are required to record their driving hours on logs as a safety precaution to ensure they have sufficient rest before driving again, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Mabe faces a maximum penalty of up to five years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000. The corporation may be subject to a fine of up to $500,000, the U.S. Attorney in Greensboro reported.