CSA 2010 BASICs

CSA2010 will calculate a score based on seven “behavior areas.”

They include:

CSA 2010 BASICs:

• Unsafe Driving — Dangerous or careless operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Data includes driver traffic violations and convictions for speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change, inattention, and other unsafe driving behavior. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 397)

• Fatigued Driving (Hours of Service) — Driving a CMV when fatigued. This is distinguished from incidents where unconsciousness or an inability to react is brought about by the use of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances. Data includes (1) HOS violations discovered during an off-site investigation, on-site investigation, roadside inspection, or post-crash inspection, and (2) crash reports with driver fatigue as a contributing factor. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 395)

• Driver Fitness — Operation of a CMV by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV due to lack of training, experience, or medical qualification. Data includes (1) inspection violations for failure to have a valid and appropriate CDL or medical or training documentation, (2) crash reports citing a lack of experience or medical reason as a cause or contributory factor, and (3) violations from an off-site investigation or an on-site investigation for failure to maintain proper driver qualification files, or use of unqualified drivers. (FMCSR Parts 383 and 391)

• Controlled Substances and Alcohol — Operation of a CMV while impaired due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription medications or over-the-counter medications. Data includes (1) roadside violations involving controlled substances or alcohol, (2) crash reports citing driver impairment or intoxication as a cause, (3) positive drug or alcohol test results on drivers, and (4) lack of appropriate testing or other deficiencies in motor carrier controlled substances and alcohol testing programs. (FMCSR Part 392)

• Vehicle Maintenance — CMV failure due to improper or inadequate maintenance. Data includes (1) roadside violations for brakes, lights, and other mechanical defects, (2) crash reports citing a mechanical failure as a contributing factor, and (3) violations from an off-site investigation or an on-site investigation associated with pre-trip inspections, maintenance records, and repair records. (FMCSR Parts 393 and 396)

• Cargo Related — Shifting loads, spilled or dropped cargo, and unsafe handling of hazardous materials. Data includes (1) roadside inspection violations pertaining to load securement, cargo retention, and hazardous material handling, and (2) crash reports citing shifting loads, or spilled/dropped cargo as a cause or contributing factor. (FMCSR Parts 392, 393, 397 and HM Violations), and

• Crash Indicator— Histories or patterns of high crash involvement, including frequency and severity. Data includes law enforcement crash reports and crashes reported by the carrier and discovered during on-site investigations.

Recent roadside violations and violations that correlate most with crashes will be weighted more heavily than other violations. SMS will then rank carrier scores relative to their peers to determine which entities have specific safety problems.

What does this mean?

• For the first time, each commercial vehicle license holder will be assigned a ‘Safety Rating”.

• Drivers' safety rating will follow you regardless of the company you work for or contract with.

• Drivers' activity on the highway, i.e. roadside inspection violations, accidents, tickets, even warning tickets will have a negative impact on your personal safety rating.

• Drivers could be declared UNFIT and lose your ability to drive for a living as a result of a poor safety rating. Companies will HIRE and FIRE based on your safety rating.

Come See us in Las Vegas

LoadTrek will be attending the NSRMCA's regional meeting in Las Vegas on January 26-27.

A handy guide to commenting on hours of service

FMCSA is asking for HOS Submissions

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is asking people interested in participating in listening sessions on a future hours-of-service rule to consider questions on its website.

The agency posted five areas of discussion on its website in preparation for the listening sessions, scheduled for Jan. 19 in Arlington, Va., Jan. 22, at the Dallas Forth Worth airport and Jan. 25 in Los Angeles. The FMCSA has not announced a fourth session yet.

The topics are rest and on-duty time, restart to the 60- and 70-hour rule, sleeper berth use, loading and unloading time, and general.

The agency said it presented the questions for discussion. It will not necessarily include them in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking but would request similar information in that document. Answers should be based upon the experience and information participants can share with the FMCSA.

Comments may also be submitted via:
•The Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.
•Mail :Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
•Fax at 1-202-493-2251

Each submission must include the agency name and docket number, which is FMCSA 2004-19608.

The questions are posted at:
www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/TOPICS/HOS/HOS-Listening-Sessions.aspx.

FMCSA to Hold Public Listening Sessions on Hours-of-Service Requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced it will hold four listening sessions in January to gather information and comments as the agency prepares a rulemaking proposal on hours-of-service requirements for property-carrying commercial vehicle drivers.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Doubletree Hotel Crystal City National Airport
300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST

Friday, January 22, 2010
Hyatt Regency Dallas Forth Worth Airport
DFW International Parkway, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas 75261
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST

Monday, January 25, 2010
Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles International Airport
1985 East Grand Avenue, El Segundo, California 90245
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST