The FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) evaluates the safety and compliance of motor carriers by analyzing their performance across seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). This assessment considers factors such as the frequency of safety violations, the seriousness and recent occurrence of crashes, and the scale of operations conducted under the carrier’s authority.
What is a CSA score?
The CSA program was launched in November 2010 by the FMCSA to promote awareness among carriers about their responsibility for road safety.
Each carrier receives a CSA score that reflects their commitment to maintaining road safety. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating lower safety levels. These scores are updated monthly through the FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS).
Since its inception, the CSA point system has undergone revisions aimed at enhancing fairness, particularly for drivers involved in non-fault accidents. Further updates to the system are anticipated, as discussed later in this post.
How is a CSA score calculated?
The foundation of the calculation lies in the BASIC scores, which stands for Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories. These scores are derived from crash reports and roadside inspection data collected through the FMCSA SMS. Factors such as the recency of incidents (with only the last 24 months contributing to the score), the severity of crashes, and annual mileage driven are considered.
The 7 BASICs encompass various aspects of safety and compliance:
– Crash Indicator: assesses the frequency and severity of crashes.
– Controlled Substances and Alcohol: evaluates incidents involving drivers found operating a
CMV under the influence.
– Driver Fitness: examines compliance with driver qualification requirements, including CDL
maintenance.
– Hazardous Materials Compliance: reviews adherence to regulations for handling hazardous
materials, such as proper labeling and container integrity.
– HOS (Hours-of-Service) Compliance: focuses on compliance with regulations regarding driving
hours, rest periods, and duty status records.
– Vehicle Maintenance: evaluates adherence to vehicle maintenance standards, including lights,
brakes, and load securement.
– Unsafe Driving: assesses behaviors such as speeding, improper lane changes, failure to wear
seatbelts, and other hazardous driving practices.
What constitutes a poor CSA score?
Typically, any score reaching 50 or higher should be a cause for concern. Scores of 65% or more in Crash Indicator, HOS Compliance, or Unsafe Driving will prompt an FMCSA investigation (this threshold lowers to 50% if transporting passengers or hazardous materials). Similarly, a score of 80% or higher in any other BASIC category will also trigger an investigation.
What’s changing with CSA scores in 2024?
In a notice dated February 15, 2023, the FMCSA proposed several updates to the SMS, a crucial component of the CSA program that assesses motor carriers’ crash risk rates and prioritizes them for safety interventions like roadside inspections and compliance reviews, based on their performance in the aforementioned BASIC categories.
The FMCSA is contemplating the following adjustments:
– Consolidating BASIC categories to more accurately identify those with the greatest impact on
crash risk.
– Revising the severity weights of violations to remove any undue bias in compliance decisions.
– Modifying intervention thresholds to target carriers with recent violations and high crash rates
more effectively
