SMS BASIC Scores

Carrier411 was the first carrier monitoring service to incorporate CSA 2010 SMS BASIC scores as soon as data was released on December 12, 2010. SMS BASIC scores are released at the beginning of each month and do not change until they are released the following month.

Within the CSA 2010 Operational Model, the Safety Measurement System (SMS) quantifies the on-road safety performance of carriers and drivers to identify candidates for interventions, to determine the specific safety problems exhibited by a carrier or driver, and to monitor whether safety problems are improving or worsening. Now that CSA 2010 is implemented, SMS replaces the SafeStat system for rating carriers.

CSA 2010 uses a weighted point system for different violations as a part of its methodology to improve the way carriers are measured and rated. These weighted values are time weighted, divided by relevant inspections, and separated into peer groups. It will be the percentile ranking number that the FMCSA watches (not the individual weighted point totals) to determine if intervention is required.

The carrier SMS uses a motor carrier's data from roadside inspections, including all safety-based violations, state-reported crashes, and the federal motor carrier census to quantify performance in the Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). There are seven SMS BASIC categories: Unsafe Driving, Fatigued Driving (Hours-of-Service), Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance, Cargo-Related (Not Publicly Available), and Crash Indicator (Not Publicly Available).

Please visit the CSA 2010 Website to learn more. Here is some general information about CSA 2010 BASICs measurements, including the threshold for deficient scores in each BASICs category:

All inspection violations that pertain to a BASIC are assigned severity weights that reflect their association with crash occurrence and crash consequences.

		1. Unsafe Driving Operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by drivers in a dangerous or careless manner. Score ranges from 0-100 or Insufficient Data Deficient Score Threshold Passenger HazMat Other 50 60 65 Carriers you use will likely be classified as Other Example Violations: Speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change, and inattention. View / Hide Unsafe Driving Weighted Violations Unsafe Driving Violations and Severity Weights The violation severity weights are assigned on a 1 to 10 scale, where 1 represents the lowest crash risk and 10 represents the highest crash risk relative to the other violations in the BASIC. 1. Unnecessary delay in HM transportation to destination 1 2. Operating a CMV while texting 10 3. Failing to properly secure parked vehicle 1 4. Failure to obey traffic control device 5 5. Headlamps - Failing to dim when required 3 6. Following too close 5 7. Improper lane change 5 8. Lane Restriction violation 3 9. Improper passing 5 10. Unlawfully parking and/or leaving vehicle in the roadway 1 11. Reckless driving 10 12. Railroad Grade Crossing violation 5 13. Speeding 5 14. State/Local Laws - Speeding 1-5 miles per hour over the speed limit 1 15. State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit 4 16. State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit 7 17. State/Local Laws - Speeding 15 or more miles per hour over the speed limit 10 18. State/Local Laws - Speeding work/construction zone 10 19. State/Local Laws - Operating a CMV while texting 10 20. Improper turns 5 21. Failure to yield right of way 5 22. Scheduling run to necessitate speeding 5 23. Failing to stop at railroad crossing—bus 5 24. Failing to stop at railroad crossing—chlorine 5 25. Failing to stop at railroad crossing—placard 5 26. Failing to stop at railroad crossing—HM cargo 5 27. Failed to use caution for hazardous condition 5 28. Failing to use seat belt while operating CMV 7 28. Failing to use hazard warning flashers 1 30. Unauthorized passenger on board CMV 1 31. Unsafe bus operations 1 32. Bus—Standees forward of the standee line 1 33. Using or equipping a CMV with radar detector 5 34. State/local laws ordinances regulations 1 35. Smoking within 25 feet of HM vehicle 1 36. Driving of vehicle—migrant workers 1
		2. Fatigued Driving (Hours-of-Service) Operation of CMVs by drivers who are ill, fatigued, or in non-compliance with the Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations. This BASIC includes violations of regulations pertaining to logbooks as they relate to HOS requirements and the management of CMV driver fatigue. Score ranges from 0-100 or Insufficient Data Deficient Score Threshold Passenger HazMat Other 50 60 65 Carriers you use will likely be classified as Other Example Violations: HOS, logbook, and operating a CMV while ill or fatigued. View / Hide Fatigued Driving Weighted Violations Fatigued Driving Violations and Severity Weights The violation severity weights are assigned on a 1 to 10 scale, where 1 represents the lowest crash risk and 10 represents the highest crash risk relative to the other violations in the BASIC. 1. State/Local Hours of Service (HOS) 7 2. Operating a CMV while ill/fatigued 10 3. 15, 20, 70/80 HOS violations (Alaska-Property) 7 4. 15, 20, 70/80 HOS violations (Alaska-Passenger) 7 5. Adverse driving conditions violations (Alaska) 7 6. 16 hour rule violation (Property) 7 7. Requiring or permitting driver to drive more than 11 hours 7 8. 11 hour rule violation (Property) 7 9. Requiring or permitting driver to drive after 14 hours on duty 7 10. 14 hour rule violation (Property) 7 11. 60/70-hour rule violation 7 12. 60/70 hour rule violation (Property) 7 13. 34-hour restart violation (Property) 7 14. 10-hour rule violation (Passenger) 7 15. 15-hour rule violation (Passenger) 7 16. 60/70-hour rule violation (Passenger) 7 17. Log violation (general/form and manner) 2 18. No drivers record of duty status 5 19. False report of drivers record of duty status 7 20. Drivers record of duty status not current 5 21. Driver failing to retain previous 7 days logs 5 22. Driving after being declared out-of-service 10 23. Onboard recording device information requirements not met 1 24. Onboard recording device improper form and manner 1 25. Onboard recording device failure and driver failure to reconstruct duty status 1 26. On-board recording device information not available 1 27. Onboard recording device does not display required information 1 28. Violation of hours of service regulations — migrant workers 7
		3. Driver Fitness Operation of CMVs by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV due to lack of training, experience, or medical qualifications. Score ranges from 0-100 or Insufficient Data Deficient Score Threshold Passenger HazMat Other 65 75 80 Carriers you use will likely be classified as Other Example Violations: Failure to have a valid and appropriate commercial driver’s license and being medically unqualified to operate a CMV. View / Hide Driver Fitness Weighted Violations Driver Fitness Violations and Severity Weights The violation severity weights are assigned on a 1 to 10 scale, where 1 represents the lowest crash risk and 10 represents the highest crash risk relative to the other violations in the BASIC. 1. Driver training requirements 4 2. Operating a CMV with more than one driver's license 8 3. Operating a CMV without a CDL 8 4. Operating on learner's permit without CDL holder 8 5. Operating on learner's permit without valid driver’s license 8 6. Driving a CMV (CDL) while disqualified 8 7. Operating a CMV with improper CDL group 8 8. No double/triple trailer endorsement on CDL 8 9. No passenger vehicle endorsement on CDL 8 10. No tank vehicle endorsement on CDL 8 11. No hazardous materials endorsement on CDL 8 12. No school bus endorsement on CDL 8 13. License (CDL) - Operating a school bus without a school bus endorsement 8 14. Violating airbrake restriction 8 15. Failing to comply with Imminent Hazard OOS Order 10 16. Unqualified driver 8 17. Interstate driver under 21 years of age 4 18. Non-English speaking driver 4 19. Driver must be able to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language 4 20. Driver lacking physical qualification(s) 2 21. Driver lacking valid license for type vehicle being operated 8 22. Driver disqualified from operating CMV 8 23. Driving a CMV while disqualified 8 24. Driver not in possession of medical certificate 1 25. Improper medical examiners certificate form 1 26. Expired medical examiner's certificate 1 27. No valid medical waiver in driver's possession 1 28. Driver not physically qualified 2 29. No doctor's certificate in possession 1
		4. Controlled Substances/Alcohol Operation of CMVs by drivers who are impaired due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications. Score ranges from 0-100 or Insufficient Data Deficient Score Threshold Passenger HazMat Other 65 75 80 Carriers you use will likely be classified as Other Example Violations: Use or possession of controlled substances/alcohol. View / Hide Controlled Substances Weighted Violations Controlled Substances Violations and Severity Weights The violation severity weights are assigned on a 1 to 10 scale, where 1 represents the lowest crash risk and 10 represents the highest crash risk relative to the other violations in the BASIC. 1. Violating OOS order pursuant to 392.5(a)/(b) 10 2. Driver uses or is in possession of drugs 10 3. Possession/use/under influence alcohol - 4hrs prior to duty 5
		5. Vehicle Maintenance Failure to properly maintain a CMV. Score ranges from 0-100 or Insufficient Data Deficient Score Threshold Passenger HazMat Other 65 75 80 Carriers you use will likely be classified as Other Example Violations: Brakes, lights, mechanical defects, and failure to make required repairs. View / Hide Vehicle Maintenance Weighted Violations Vehicle Maintenance Violations and Severity Weights The violation severity weights are assigned on a 1 to 10 scale, where 1 represents the lowest crash risk and 10 represents the highest crash risk relative to the other violations in the BASIC. 1. Fail to display current CVSA Decal: Permanent Authority 4 2. Failure to maintain a reasonable temperature 2 3. Bus - Failure to maintain restroom 2 4. Bus - Not maintained in clean working order 2 5. Fail to display current CVSA decal - Provisional Authority 4 6. Wheel (Mud) Flaps missing or defective 1 7. No pre-trip inspection 4 8. Driver failing to conduct pre-trip inspection 4 9. Driver failing to conduct a pre-trip inspection of Intermodal Equipment 4 10. Failing to inspect/use emergency equipment 2 11. Failing/improper placement of warning devices 2 12. Operating CMV with lamps/reflectors obscured 6 13. Inoperative required lamps 2 14. Inoperative head lamps 6 15. Inoperative tail lamp 6 16. Inoperative turn signal 6 17. No/defective lighting devices/reflective devices/projected 3 18. Lower retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 19. No retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 20. Retroreflective not affixed as required Trailer manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 21. Side retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 22. Truck Tractor manufactured on or after 7/1/1997 with no retro reflective sheeting or reflex reflectors on mud flaps 3 23. Truck Tractor no retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 7/1/1997 3 24. Truck Tractor upper body corners retroreflective sheeting/reflex manufactured on or after 7/1/1997 3 25. Upper reflex reflectors retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 26. Retroreflective tape not affixed; Trailer manufactured before 12//1/1993 3 27. No retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 28. Side retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or before 12/1/1993 3 29. Lower retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or before 12/1/1993 3 30. Upper retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or before 12/1/1993 3 31. Side retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 32. Lower rear retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 33. Upper rear retroreflective sheeting/reflex reflectors manufactured on or after 12/1/1993 3 34. No/defective lamp/reflector-tow-away operation 6 35. No/defective lamps-towing unit-tow-away operation 6 36. No/defective tow-away lamps on rear unit 6 37. Inoperative/defective hazard warning lamp 6 38. Required lamp not powered by vehicle electricity 2 39. Non-compliance with headlamp requirements 6 40. Non-compliant fog/driving lamps 6 41. Non-compliant fog or driving lamps 6 42. Improper headlamp mounting 6 43. Improper head / auxiliary / fog lamp aiming 6 44. Improper lamp mounting 6 45. Lamps are not visible as required 6 46. Lamp not steady burning 6 47. Stop lamp violations 6 48. Requirements for reflectors 3 49. Improper or no wiring protection as required 3 50. Improper battery installation 3 51. Inadequate brake system on a CMV 4 52. No or defective parking brake system on CMV 4 53. No brakes as required 4 54. No/improper breakaway or emergency braking 4 55. No/improper tractor protection valve 4 56. No or defective automatic trailer brake 4 57. No/defective bus front brake line protection 4 58. Brake tubing and hose adequacy 4 59. Failing to secure brake hose/tubing against mechanical damage 4 60. Failing to secure brake hose/tubing against high temperatures 4 61. Brake connections with leaks/constrictions 4 62. Inadequate/contaminated brake linings 4 63. Inadequate brakes for safe stopping 4 64. Mismatched brake chambers on same axle 4 65. Mismatched slack adjuster effective length 4 66. Insufficient brake linings 4 67. Clamp/Roto-Chamber type brake(s) out of adjustment 4 68. Wedge type brake(s) out of adjustment 4 69. Insufficient drum/rotor thickness 4 70. Inoperative/defective brakes 4 71. Defective brake limiting device 4 72. Inadequate reservoir for air/vacuum brakes 4 73. Failing to have sufficient air/vacuum reserve 4 74. Failing to equip vehicle-prevent reservoir air/vacuum leak 4 75. No means to ensure operable check valve 4 76. No or defective air reservoir drain valve 4 77. No or defective brake warning device 4 78. Insufficient braking force as percent of GVW or GCW 4 79. Automatic brake adjuster CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1993 - hydraulic brake 4 80. Automatic brake adjuster CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 - air brake 4 81. Brake adjustment indicator CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 - external automatic adjustment 4 82. ABS- all CMVs manufactured on or after 3/1/1999 with hydraulic brakes 4 83. ABS - malfunction indicators for hydraulic brake system 4 84. ABS - all tractors manufactured on or after 3/1/1997 air brake system 4 85. ABS - all other CMVs manufactured on or after 3/1/1998 air brake system 4 86. ABS - malfunctioning circuit/signal manufactured on or after 3/1/1997, single-unit CMV manufactured on or after 3/1/1998 4 87. ABS - malfunctioning indicator to cab of towing CMV manufactured on or after 3/1/2001 4 88. ABS - malfunctioning indicator connection from towed CMV manufactured on or after 3/1/2001 4 89. ABS - malfunctioning lamps towed CMV manufactured on or after 3/1/1998, manufactured before 3/1/2009 4 90. Windshields required 1 91. Damaged or discolored windshield 1 92. Glazing permits less than 70 percent of light 1 93. Windshield - Obstructed 1 94. Inadequate or missing truck side windows 1 95. Inadequate or missing truck side windows 1 96. Emergency exit window handle broken 1 97. No or defective bus emergency exits, manufactured on or after 9/1/1994 1 98. No or defective bus emergency exits, manufactured on or after 9/1/1973 but before 9/1/1994 1 99. No or defective bus emergency exit windows, manufactured before 9/1/1973 1 100. No / defective Safety glass/push-out window 1 101. No or inadequate bus emergency exit marking 1 102. Fuel system requirements 1 103. Improper location of fuel system 1 104. Improper securement of fuel tank 1 105. Improper fuel line protection 1 106. Fuel tank requirement violations 1 107. Fuel tank fill pipe cap missing 1 108. Improper fuel tank safety vent 1 109. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fuel Container does not conform to regulations 3 110. Fifth wheel 3 111. Defective coupling device-improper tracking 3 112. Defective/improper fifth wheel assemblies 3 113. Defective fifth wheel locking mechanism 3 114. Defective coupling devices for full trailer 3 115. No/improper safety chains/cables for full trailer 3 116. Improper safety chain attachment 3 117. Improper coupling driveaway/tow-away operation 3 118. Prohibited towing connection / device 3 119. Towbar requirement violations 3 120. No/improper safety chains/cables for towbar 3 121. Tires/tubes (general) 8 122. Flat tire or fabric exposed 8 123. Tire-ply or belt material exposed 8 124. Tire-tread and/or sidewall separation 8 125. Tire-flat and/or audible air leak 8 126. Tire-cut exposing ply and/or belt material 8 127. Tire-front tread depth less than 4/32 of inch 8 128. Tire-other tread depth less than 2/32 of inch 8 129. Tire-bus regrooved/recap on front wheel 8 130. Tire-regrooved on front of truck/truck-tractor 3 131. Tire-load weight rating/under inflated 3 132. Weight carried exceeds tire load limit 3 133. Tire under-inflated 3 134. Sleeper berth requirement violations 3 135. Defective and/or prohibited heaters 3 136. Protection of operating controls from tampering 3 137. Bus heater fuel tank location 3 138. Windshield wipers inoperative/defective 1 139. Defroster / Defogger inoperative 1 140. Failing to equip vehicle with two rear vision mirrors 3 141. Horn inoperative 3 142. Speedometer inoperative / inadequate 3 143. Exhaust system location 1 144. Exhaust discharge fuel tank/filler tube 1 145. Improper exhaust-bus (gasoline) 1 146. Improper exhaust-bus (diesel) 1 147. Improper exhaust discharge (not rear of cab) 1 148. Improper exhaust system repair (patch/wrap) 1 149. Exhaust leak under truck cab and/or sleeper 1 150. Exhaust system not securely fastened 1 151. Inadequate floor condition 2 152. No or improper rearend protection 2 153. Rear impact guards-all trailers/semitrailers manufactured on or after 1/26/1998 2 154. Impact guard width- all trailers/semitrailers manufactured on or after 1/26/1998 2 155. Impact guard height- all trailers/semitrailers manufactured on or after 1/26/1998 2 156. Impact guard rear- all trailers/semitrailers manufactured on or after 1/26/1998 2 157. Cross-sectional vertical height- all trailers/semitrailers manufactured on or after 1/26/1998 2 158. Rear Impact Guards- motor vehicle manufactured on or after 12/31/1952 2 159. Improperly located television receiver 2 160. Bus driveshaft not properly protected 2 161. Bus-no or obscure standee line 2 162. Bus-improper aisle seats 2 163. Bus-not equipped with seat belt 2 164. Seats not secured in conformance with FMVSS 2 165. Truck not equipped with seat belt 2 166. No/discharged/unsecured fire extinguisher 2 167. No spare fuses as required 2 168. No / insufficient warning devices 2 169. HM-restricted emergency warning device 2 170. Frame cracked / loose / sagging / broken 2 171. Bolts securing cab broken/loose/missing 2 172. Frame rail flange improperly bent/cut/notched 2 173. Frame accessories improperly attached 2 174. Prohibited holes drilled in frame rail flange 2 175. Cab/body parts requirements violations 2 176. Cab door missing/broken 2 177. Cab/body improperly secured to frame 2 178. Hood not securely fastened 2 179. Cab seats not securely mounted 2 180. Cab front bumper missing/ unsecured/ protrude 2 181. Wheel/rim cracked or broken 2 182. Stud/bolt holes elongated on wheels 2 183. Wheel fasteners loose and/or missing 2 184. Axle positioning parts defective/missing 7 185. Adjustable axle locking pin missing/disengaged 7 186. Leaf spring assembly defective/missing 7 187. Coil spring cracked and/or broken 7 188. Torsion bar cracked and/or broken 7 189. Air suspension pressure loss 7 190. No/defective air suspension exhaust control 7 191. Steering wheel not secured/broken 6 192. Excessive steering wheel lash 6 193. Loose steering column 6 194. Steering system components worn/welded/missing 6 195. Power steering violations 6 196. Must have knowledge of and comply with regulations 4 197. Inspection/repair and maintenance parts and accessories 2 198. Brakes (general) 4 199. Brake out of adjustment 4 200. Brake-air compressor violation 4 201. Brake-defective brake drum 4 202. Brake-reserve system pressure loss 4 203. Tires (general) 8 204. Excessive oil leaks 3 205. Failing to ensure that vehicle is properly lubricated 3 206. Oil and/or grease leak 3 207. Unsafe operations forbidden 3 208. Operating an OOS vehicle 10 209. Failure to correct defects noted on inspection report 4 210. No or inadequate driver vehicle inspection report 4 211. No reviewing driver's signature on Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) 4 212. Operating a CMV without periodic inspection 4 213. Parts/access-migrant workers 3 214. Inspect/maintain motor vehicle-migrant workers 4 215. Vehicle access requirements violations 2 216. Inadequate maintenance of driver access 2
		6. Cargo-Related  (Data Not Publicly Available) Cargo-Related data will not be displayed in Carrier411, although it is part of CSA 2010. Failure to properly prevent shifting loads, spilled or dropped cargo, overloading, and unsafe handling of hazardous materials on a CMV. FMCSA will show Cargo-Related BASIC violations only. Cargo-Related BASIC score and intervention status will not be on public display.
		7. Crash Indicator  (Data Not Publicly Available) Crash Indicator data will not be displayed in Carrier411, although it is part of CSA 2010. Histories or patterns of high crash involvement, including frequency and severity. It is based on information from state-reported crashes.

After measurement is determined, the carrier is placed in a peer group (along with other carriers with similar numbers of inspections). Percentile scores from 0 to 100 are determined for each category by comparing the BASIC measurements of the carrier to measurements of other carriers in the peer group. 100 indicates the worst performance.

Unlike the SafeStat system, where scores of 75 or above were considered deficient by FMCSA standards, deficiency thresholds have changed with CSA 2010. Different threshold values will be based on the carrier's classification (passenger, hazardous materials, other).

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