CSA stands for Compliance, Safety, Accountability. It is the safety compliance and enforcement program of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that holds motor carriers and drivers accountable for their role in safety.
A roadside inspection, for instance, may begin with a single visible violation, but doesn’t always end there. The penalty points can add up quickly if the inspector conducts a thorough driver and vehicle review. If you are a driver with good Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores, the benefits likely include at least some of the following:
- Lower insurance
- Customers will give you a preference on fleet hiring
- Fewer inspections at roadside
- Better driver recruitment efforts based in reputation
How to Avoid CSA Infractions
One of the best ways to avoid CSA infractions is to take preventative action. Start by having drivers do pre-trip inspections focusing on areas where most violations occur: lights, tires, brakes and speeding. Make sure your drivers know exactly what to look for when doing a pre-trip inspection.
What is A Good CSA Score?
CSA scores are calculated on a zero to 100 percentile scale, with 100 indicating the worst performance and zero indicating the best performance. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association) sets intervention thresholds on a per category level, based on the basic relationship to crash risk.
How to Check Your CSA Score
You can check your CSA score for free at the USDOT website: csa.fmcsa.dot.gov. When you enter your USDOT number and PIN into the SMS login page, you will be able to locate your score. If you don’t have a PIN, you can request one from USDOT. Delivery of your PIN typically takes 4-7 days.
The trucking industry has its fair share of risks. Not just to those working in that industry, but for basically everyone who drives. It’s essential that your carrier business operates according to all the road’s rules, regulations, and laws. And to that end, the CSA score is immensely helpful.
