Still Waiting on CSA Fix

It has been more than four years since the government launched its Compliance, Safety, Accountability program.

From the start, the trucking industry has offered general support for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s ratings program but has repeatedly asked for a number of tweaks.

One of the most glaring problems is the way the system scores truck crashes. Frequently, a carrier gets a negative score even when the truck driver is clearly not at fault, such as when a stationary truck is hit by another vehicle.

Until a fair and accurate method of recording crashes and providing for appeals in in place, American Trucking Associations has requested that the scores be kept from public view and has been joined by many others in making this sensible request.

The latest critic is Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who told Transport Topics in an exclusive interview last week that he plans to introduce legislation to alter the CSA program.

“We need to take another look at the data inputs, how accident fault is used, and whether there might be a better way to develop a safety partnership,” Thune said.

Those are powerful words coming from the third-ranking Republican in the Senate and chairman of the Commerce Committee.

Thune cited a Government Accountability Office report earlier this month that found CSA “does little to improve safety but has significant economic impacts.”

GAO’s report also noted FMCSA had not adopted the recommendation that it revise aspects of the program’s methodology.

So it’s no surprise that eyebrows were raised when FMCSA decided last week to launch a smart phone application that gives the public safety performance information on trucking and bus companies.

The QCMobile app for Apple and Android devices provides a quick and easy way to access scores — the same scores that so many believe are still not ready for prime time.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the app would offer “greater transparency while making our roadways safer for everyone.”

But ATA had a different opinion, calling FMCSA’s action “recklessness cloaking itself as transparency.”

In today’s technology-crazed world, having a new app can certainly make you feel quite hip. But hipness is as hipness does.

Providing easy access to bad data is a disservice to motor carriers and the public.

Before FMCSA spends any more time providing easier access to the safety scores, we hope it ensures that the information it makes public is accurate and reliable.