What Is CSA Scoring & Why It Matters for Your Fleet?

3 days ago
2 min read

CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) is one of the most important FMCSA programs that fleets have to manage. Not properly managing and maintaining data on your CSA scores can lead to unsafe drivers being on the road, increased roadsides, violations and fines, and audits.

Per FMCSA "CSA is FMCSA's data-driven safety compliance and enforcement program designed to improve safety and prevent commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes, injuries, and fatalities. CSA consists of three core components; the Safety Measurement System (SMS); interventions; and a Safety Fitness Determination (SFD) rating system to determine the safety fitness of motor carriers."

There are 7 BASICs that make up the CSA violations program. They are: HOS, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substance/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance, Crash Indicator, Unsafe Driving, and Hazmat. When a driver is pulled over for inspection, and violations are found in these categories, the BASIC % number for the fleet will increase, and their ISS score will increase. The BASIC % determines what kind of consequences can occur should it exceed the set threshold.

The ISS score also determines consequences, but also whether the carrier can pass on an inspection, whether an inspection is optional/random, or when an inspection is required or more frequent.

"NECS provides an advanced reporting platform tailored for CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) reporting excellence. Within this comprehensive application motor carriers unlock invaluable insights into CSA Scores, violations, and inspections along with root cause and identification of high-risk drivers and behavior"

Additionally, since NECS has partnered with PrePass, when we monitor a client and they have a low ISS score there is more opportunity for that client to utilize PrePass to avoid having to stop for inspections.