After getting a lot of flak for its CSA program along with the pre-employment screening program, it looks like the FMCSA is trying to change their ways – at least somewhat. The agency has unveiled some revisions to its data collection system that it says “will better account for legal processes that take place after a citation is issued for a roadside inspection violation.” The FMCSA citation protocol has been updated to allow removal of violations from a carrier’s or driver’s CSA score and PSP report if the violation was dismissed or resulted in a “not guilty” ruling. If a carrier keeps the original charge, the CSA and PSP records will stay the same.
The changes come through the FMCSA’s DataQs system – a system set up to allow drivers to dispute charges stemming from roadside inspections. Once a driver or carrier submits a dispute, it is then forwarded to the state or local agency that issued the citation to be investigated. FMCSA says that their partners will continue to update their processes in order to obtain better results.
Between this and the hours rule, the FMCSA has had a hard time convincing drivers they are working in their best interests. Only time will tell if the proposed changes will actually result in better data collection and records-keeping for the industry.
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