The "Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement Act," or SAFE Act, addresses chameleon carriers , defined as entities operating under new identities to evade federal safety regulations, penalties, or negative compliance history. The bill mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General within one year to examine the prevalence, methods, and impact of these carriers, including fatalities, injuries, and property damage, while also assessing current Department of Transportation monitoring capabilities and recommending legislative improvements. Furthermore, the Act requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator to develop, test, and implement an advanced automation tool within one year. This tool will assist FMCSA personnel in detecting chameleon carrier applications for USDOT numbers by identifying characteristics like common ownership, addresses, equipment, and attempts to avoid safety violations or enforcement actions. It will also detect insurance lapses and compile evidence for registration decisions, providing automated decision support while ensuring final determinations remain with FMCSA employees. The Administrator must establish an appeals process for denied USDOT numbers and collaborate with other federal and state agencies for information sharing. The Department of Transportation's Inspector General will audit and report on the tool's effectiveness within two years of its implementation, assessing its impact on flagged applications, crash reduction, and overall accuracy.