CSA 2010 Could Threaten Your Livelihood As A Driver

                  

   Is your trucking company ready for CSA 2010? Have your employees been trained on the changes that CSA 2010 will bring in terms of enforcement and the effect this new system will have on their livelihood?
The FMCSA ( Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ) along with congress has implemented a new law that will have a greater effect on individual drivers than employers.

   CSA (compliance, safety, accountability) was first only implemented as a test program in a few states has now gone nationwide. CSA 2010 is basically just another tool that the FMCSA will use in there efforts to reduce the number of crashes on our highways. CSA 2010 is basically a rating system that assigns a point value for operator infractions. The Basics of CSA 2010 that an operator may be judged on include:

·        Unsafe Driving

·        Fatigued Driving (Hours-Of-Service)

·        Driver Fitness

·        Controlled Substance/Alcohol

·        Vehicle Maintenance

·        Cargo Related Infractions

·        Crashes

    CSA 2010 Basics will implement the Safety Measurement System allowing officials to collect data via roadside inspections, weigh stations, crash data, ect.. Three components make up the new fully implemented CSA 2010:

                                       

·        Measurement

·        Evaluation

·        Intervention

  

 On the measurement aspect, points are assigned and weighted depending on severity and the timeline that the infraction occurred. Following is a list of common infractions and points assigned per the CSA 2010 rules:

·        Following too close……. ...5 points

·        60/70 hr rule violations….  7 points

·        Violating OOS order…….10  points

·        Permanent Authority………4 points

·        Tail lamp out………………6 points

·        7 day log violations………..5 points

·        No driver signature on log…2 points

·        No medical certificate…… . 1 point

    If a driver gets hit with points on a log violation for example and the violation shuts the driver down he/she will get additional points added on for being out of service as well as points added on for the timeline. So as you can see, points can really add up for minor things.

   Accumulated points will help determine if a carrier or operator needs an intervention. Some means of intervention can be but not limited to: warning letters, carrier access to safety data, full investigations and off-site investigations.

   If you are a carrier or an operator the best course of action is to train for and know the ins an outs of CSA 2010 ie: CSA scoring system and out-of-service criteria. Pre-trip and post-trips must be emphasized for thoroughness as well as accuracy to minimize receiving points for out-of service vehicles. Have regular safety meetings to minimize those infractions that carry the most weight on the CSA 2010 scoring system.

   The CSA 2010 program has met with much scrutiny from organizations like the ATA (American Trucking Association) they have gone so far as to say the program has serious flaws and mandate for change. You can read more on these issues at the ATA website.