CLAPP TO LEAVE U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

CLAPP TO LEAVE U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION    Joseph M. Clapp, administrator of the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said this week he will leave the Transportation Department in December.
   Clapp, who retired from Roadway Express in 1995, was appointed by the Bush administration to the FMCSA post in October 2001.
   “As the leader of the FMSCA, he brought considerable private-sector experience to bear on a number of key issues facing the industry at a critical time in our nation’s history,” said Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for his contributions.”
   During his administration, Clapp focused on meeting transportation safety requirements for implementing truck provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement. President Bush said he’s committed to U.S. southern border for Mexican truck operations and to ensuring that qualified Mexican-domiciled trucks operate safely in the United States.
   In preparing to open the U.S. border to Mexican trucks, Clapp’s administration met or exceeded 22 different safety requirements of the 2002 Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
   Annette Sandberg, who served as deputy administrator of the DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since February, will replace Clapp. Sandberg was chief of the Washington State Patrol for six years prior to joining the federal government.