CSA 2010: Breaking Bad Habits
Those of you that stay up on things in our industry have probably heard a lot about CSA 2010, due to be implemented by the FMCSA next summer. I have written about it several times and discussed it with many of you in my office and at various field locations throughout the country. You know that the CSA means Comprehensive Safety Analysis and that roadside inspections, rather than an FMCSA audit, will determine a motor carrier's safety rating. I frankly don't see how any motor carrier will be able to utilize a driver who cannot get clean roadside inspections. It's coming. It will virtually eliminate non-compliant drivers and unsafe equipment. That is what it is designed to do.
We have all discussed the importance of having zero OOS (out of service) items noted on the inspection sheet. But there are other things that could very well count against drivers and motor carriers. Under CSA 2010, all violations will be assigned a value in regards to potential accident impact. That sounds simple enough, but what does it mean? It means that tickets that used not to bring much heat on drivers from motor carriers will suddenly be a problem. I can think of three main ones: Seat belt tickets, restricted lane violations and tinted window citations. As many of you know, unless I see a pattern of these violations, they are not generally added to your three-year strike count at Mercer. Under CSA 2010, we may not be able to do that any longer. I expect to have to start counting them and unfortunately will have to end up terminating a few good folks who just don't get it about stuff like that. Bad habits are hard to break. The time to start is now. We need zero OOS violations and zero bad habits. Be safe.
Len Dunman
Safety Director
Tele (502) 625-3161
Fax (502) 625-3158
1-800-626-5375