New Violations Tied to HOS Changes Will Impact Fleet CSA Scores
Two new violations tied to the recent changes to truck driver hours of service regulations have been coded into carrier profiles on the Compliance, Safety, Accountability site one of which reflects violations of the new hours-of-service rule that went into effect July 1.
The CSA system will now codify violations of the 30-minute break requirement of the new hours rule with a 7-point severity weight. The break violation will not count as an out-of-service violation, but violating the restart provisions will.
The second new violation added into the CSA system is related to alcohol possession and brings a severity weight of 3 to the Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC. The new codification allows roadside inspectors to distinguish between alcohol possession and use, as the use/under-the-influence violation is a 5-point weight.
Carriers and drivers can pursue removal of the OOS points on the agency's DataQ's review system. As a motor carrier or owner-operator, you can use DataQs to file concerns about inspection and crash data available from FMCSA or other information displayed on your records. Track your current requests.
Recent enhancements to DataQs improve the way you submit and track the status of RDRs. Both drivers and fleets should explore the new DataQs and find out how a more intuitive process, updated tracking features, and a host of other improvements will help make their jobs easier, FMCSA suggests.
Everyone has a role in improving data quality, FMCSA says. DataQs enables motor carriers, drivers, FMCSA, states, and the public to help improve the accuracy of motor carrier and driver data. "Better data leads to safer roads," FMCSA says.
As a motor carrier, owner-operator, you should be familiar with your crash, inspection, and registration data for two reasons: First, FMCSA uses the data to prioritize enforcement activities. Second, the public can view much of it in FMCSA systems.
For more information on how to view your data in FMCSA systems, go to the relevant Frequently Asked Question in the DataQs Help Center (How can motor carriers view their safety data?).
If you are a motor carrier with an existing FMCSA Portal account and you already requested DataQs as an available system, visit the FMCSA Portal (https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov) to log in. Then, you can access DataQs for the corresponding U.S. DOT Number.
Drivers can also use DataQs to file concerns about Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) reports and to monitor status of your current RDR.
As a commercial driver, it's important to have accurate data on your record. Inaccurate information can adversely affect your Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report, which is available to you and to potential employers with your written permission.
Visit FMCSA's PSP Website to request a copy of your PSP report
and review your inspection and crash history at (http://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov/
If you believe any data listed on FMCSA websites is inaccurate, submit a Request for Data Review (RDR) in DataQs. Use the step-by-step process to help gather necessary details and submit your request. DataQs allows you to upload supporting documents, automatically routes the request to the correct agency for review, and helps you track the request. You can even request copies of inspection reports from some States.
Anyone in the motor carrier industry, including Intermodal Equipment Providers (IEPs) not registered as motor carriers, Service Providers, and the general public, can file a Request for Data Review (RDR) to help ensure the accuracy of the FMCSA data.
For example, if you were in a crash involving a motor carrier and you think the crash report needs correction, or if you are an IEP and believe a violation was erroneously assigned to your record, you can submit an RDR through DataQs.
For more information on how to view motor carrier data in FMCSA systems, go to the relevant Frequently Asked Question in the DataQs Help Center (What safety data is available to the general public and where is it located?).
DataQs allows you to upload supporting documents, automatically routes the request to the correct agency for review, and helps you track the request. You can even request copies of inspection reports from some states.
https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/