CSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) will capture driver and carrier safety performance data during roadside inspections. Where safety violations are indicated, interventions and further monitoring may be ordered.
SMS will quantify fleet safety on key Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, or BASICs.
They are:
- Unsafe driving, including speeding, reckless driving, and distracted driving
- Fatigued driving or Hours-of-Service violations; the operation of a commercial motor vehicle by any driver who is tired, sick, or operating beyond their allotted hours behind the wheel
- Driver fitness; the operation of a commercial motor vehicle by any driver who does not have a valid CDL, lacks training and/or experience, or has been disqualified for medical reasons which may impact safe driving practices
- Controlled substance/alcohol impairment; any driver who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including the misuse of over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Vehicle maintenance violations; the operation of a vehicle that is not in good working order, including brake, light, turn signal, and other defects that may present a safety hazard for other drivers on the road
- Cargo-related safety violations, including transportation of freight that is improperly secured, unsafe handling of hazardous cargo, overloading a commercial vehicle, and spilled or dropped freight
- Crashes; a pattern of involvement in crashes, especially when that history indicates frequent and/or severe crashes
A carrier’s data will be measured against other like carriers, and BASIC measurement percentiles will be assigned to each; 0 indicating the best performing carrier in its class and 100 indicating the worst.
This data will be made available to the public. And as shippers, brokers, and insurance companies will have access to these records, it’s in a fleet’s best interest to identify any BASICs that warrant attention and improvement in order to remain competitive.
Do you know your BASICs score?
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