Assistance in investigations and special studies.

(a) A carrier who is responsible for reporting an incident under the provisions of § 171.16 shall make all records and information pertaining to the incident available to an authorized representative or special agent of the Department of Transportation upon request. The carrier shall give an authorized representative or special agent of the Department of Transportation reasonable assistance in the investigation of the incident.

(b) If the Department of Transportation makes an inquiry to a carrier of hazardous materials in connection with a study of incidents, the carrier shall—

(1) Respond to the inquiry within 30 days after its receipt or within such other time as the inquiry may specify; and

(2) Provide full, true, and correct answers to any questions included in the inquiry.

[Amdt. 171-101, 54 FR 25813, June 19, 1989]