CSA 2010 A New Start
NATC Answers Your CSA 2010 Questions
By: J.P. Gibbons, NATC
For over a year the FMCSA has been field testing CSA 2010 in four (4)
initial states. Now they have expanded the field testing and in 2010 they
will go national with CSA 2010. Several questions arise when discussing
CSA 2010 and I will attempt to answer them here.
What is CSA 2010?
It is a whole new approach to tracking and responding to a carriers and
drivers safety performance. It is based on seven (7) basics which center
on drivers with four (4), vehicle equipment with one (1), securement/
hazardous material with one (1) and crash data with one (1). The FMCSA
response or interaction with a carrier or driver will depend on the ratings
each of the basics have. The data will be updated monthly and will change
according to the latest information in the database.
Where Does the Data Come From?
The data is supplied by the states through roadside inspections and crash
reports. You may challenge data entries through the DataQ process once it
is uploaded. It is your responsibility to verify the accuracy of the data in
your file. Drivers as well as carriers will have files kept on them and
accessible by enforcement personnel and others.
What about My SEA Numbers?
It is scheduled that in the summer of 2010 the SafeStat system which uses
SEA Numbers will be replaced with CSA 2010 and the new SMS standards
which use the seven basics. Instead of the current four (4) SEA numbers
you will receive a score on each of the seven basics in the program as
noted above.
How will I know When My Performance is Unacceptable?
Under CSA 2010 once a basic reaches a preset score the color of the
score will change color to yellow and then red.Yellow is warning and
red is unacceptable.
How Much Time Do I have to Correct a Problem Basic?
It is currently planned that you will have two months to correct a problem
area before intervention. This means that once your score changes your
color to yellow or red you have one complete cycle (a month) to improve
before intervention is initiated by FMCSA. If your basic remains yellow
or red for two (2) months in a row a letter or other intervention will
take place.
Will CSA 2010 change my Safety Rating?
At the present time only a Compliance Review (CR) can change your safety
rating. However, problems with a basic can lead to a Notice of Violation or
Notice of Claim without a CR being performed. There are plans to change
the regulations to allow for a carrier’s safety rating to be changed through
CSA 2010. This change will require a rulemaking which is scheduled for
sometime in 2010.
If My SEA Numbers are Low Now Should I be Concerned?
YES, low SEA Numbers are based on Out of Service (OOS) violations for
driver and vehicle. Under CSA 2010 all violations shown on a roadside
will have a weighted point value and effect your basic rating. As such,
carriers without a high Out of Service level will receive intervention
due to non-OOS violations and there perceived effect on crash events.
EVERYTHING COUNTS UNDER CSA 2010 INCLUDING MARKER LIGHTS.
Where can I get more information on CSA 2010?
The NATC free website: www.49CFR.com or directly from FMCSA at their
website FAQ section: FAQ Area
When Should My Company Get Involved?
How about in 2004 when it started? Since we can not go back in time, now
is a good starting point in time. Do not wait until the summer of 2010.
Remember once the switch is flipped and CSA 2010 becomes operational
nationally, the data will go back for 24 months. As such, what is occurring
on the roadways today will be in CSA 2010 next year.