The 411 On The CSA - Copy

Apparently, a lot of truckers do not have a clear understanding of a federal safety program that was put in place three years ago.

The American Transportation Research Institute published a new report, “Compliance, Safety Accountability: Assessing the New Safety Measurement System and Its Implications,” that analyzed approximately 7,800 driver responses over a three-year period. During that period, the ATRI examined perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) program.

The report showed that drivers responded to the CSA knowledge test with 42.4 percent accuracy, which signifies that after three years of implementation drivers still do not have a clear understanding of the CSA program.

However, carrier-provided CSA training has increased steadily since 2011. Furthermore, driver job security concerns due to the CSA program have decreased by almost 10 percent over since 2011.

The CSA program was created by the FMCSA to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicles.

The program introduces a new enforcement and compliance model that allows FMCSA and its state partners to contact a larger number of carriers earlier in order to address safety problems before crashes occur.

Originally launched in December 2010, the CSA program establishes an innovative nationwide system that aims to make the roads safer for motor carriers and the public alike.

While developing the CSA program, the FMCSA wanted to combine a number of vital attributes.

Flexibility – Adapt to a Changing Environment

• Accommodates changes to the transportation environment, such as evolutions in technology and changes in programmatic responsibilities.

Efficiency – Maximize Use of Resources

• Improves Federal and State enforcement staff productivity, as well as the safety performance of members of the motor carrier community.

Effectiveness – Improve Safety Performance

• Identifies behaviors associated with safety risk; focuses compliance, enforcement, and remediation efforts on those unsafe behaviors.

Innovation – Leverage Data and Technology

• Improves safety through the innovative use of technology to track and update safety performance data.

Equitability – Be Fair and Unbiased

• Assesses and evaluates motor carrier safety and enforces federal laws and safety regulations to ensure consistent treatment of similarly situated members of the motor carrier community.