Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
How fleets can best prioritize compliance issues
Fleet safety teams face a complex challenge: ensuring compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and related state regulations while juggling limited time and resources. Roadside inspection violations, Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data, audits, and accident claims all demand attention, often leaving safety teams uncertain about where to focus their attention. Of course, not all compliance issues are equally weighted. Some have the potential to cause significant headac
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA pushing forward with Safety Measurement System (SMS) changes in light of public comments
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released its latest plans to update the Safety Measurement System (SMS) as part of its ongoing efforts to refine how motor carriers are prioritized for safety interventions. Following its latest public comment period after releasing its original February 2023 proposal, the agency's updates reflect significant enhancements and stakeholder contributions. This article summarizes the changes and their implications for motor carriers going f
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA proposes substantial revisions to its Safety Measurement System (SMS)
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing fairly substantial changes to its Safety Measurement System (SMS) also known as CSA, which the agency uses to prioritize motor carriers for enforcement. According to a notice published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2023, "FMCSA continues its commitment to continuously improving SMS to identify motor carriers that present the highest crash risk through a transparent and effective system." We'll break it all down in thi
Brandon Wiseman
How to improve your CSA scores
CSA scores are a big deal for regulated motor carriers. High CSA scores can lead to increased insurance premiums, lost business, and heightened exposure in highway accident litigation. Keeping your scores as low as possible is important, but how do you do it? That's the million dollar question. Although the answer is pretty straightforward, it's unfortunately not what most fleets want to hear. Lowering your CSA scores (and keeping them low) takes time and effort. There is no magic wand. There ar
Brandon Wiseman
5 enforcement metrics carriers MUST track
Our list of the top 5 safety metrics carriers should be tracking to stay out of the DOT's and plaintiff's bar's crosshairs.
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