Thus far in our coverage of the CSA 2010 Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs), we’ve discussed how Unsafe Driving, Fatigued Driving, Driver Fitness and Controlled Substances/Alcohol will affect everyone involved with trucking freight. Although the regulations differ for each of these BASICs, they all have one trait in common: a focus on how the driver’s behavior affects crash risk.

Our topic this week discusses the first regulation that is primarily in the carrier’s control: Vehicle Maintenance. Drivers should know, however, that under CSA 2010, they will be held accountable for any violations the FMCSA deems to be under their control, and thus far, there is no list detailing those offenses. So, it really is in everyone’s best interest — for safety and job security — to ensure every truck getting loads is well maintained.  

The FMCSA defines the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC as “Failure to properly maintain a CMV.”

Violations are broken into 19 groups, with each error weighted based on its relationship to crash risk (1 – 10, low to high). The only BASIC with more potential violations is Cargo-Related, so look out for our details on that section of the SMS next week. The 19 Vehicle Maintenance groups with sample violations and their corresponding scores are listed below:

Brakes, All Others

Failing to secure brake hose/tubing against mechanical damage: 4

Brakes Out of Adjustment

Clamp/Roto-Chamber type brake(s) out of adjustment: 4

Cab, Body, Frame

Vehicle access requirements violations: 2

Clearance Identification Lamps/Other

Required lamp not powered by vehicle electricity: 2

Coupling Devices

Defective coupling device—improper tracking: 3

Emergency Equipment

No/discharged/unsecured fire extinguisher: 2

Exhaust Discharge

Improper exhaust system repair (patch/wrap): 1

Fuel Systems

Fuel tank fill pipe cap missing: 1

Inspection Reports

Failing to retain periodic inspection report for 14 months: 4

Lighting

Operating CMV with lamps/reflectors obscured: 6

Other Vehicle Defect

Improper battery installation: 3

Reflective Sheeting

Truck Tractor manufactured on or after 7/1/1997 with no retro reflective sheeting or reflex reflectors on mud flaps: 3

NOTE: This is one of the violations that will be on the Driver/Vehicle Examination Report drivers receive after a roadside inspection. 

Steering Mechanism

Steering system components worn/welded/missing: 6

Suspension

Adjustable axle locking pin missing/disengaged: 7

Tire vs. Load

Tire under-inflated: 3

Tires

Tire — ply or belt material exposed: 8

Vehicle Jumping OOS

Operating an Out-Of-Service (OOS) vehicle: 10

Wheels, Studs, Clamps, Etc.

Stud/bolt holes elongated on wheels: 2

Windshield/ Glass/ Makings

Damaged or discolored windshield: 1

Weighting for each Vehicle Maintenance violation is calculated using an equation that compares the:

• Number of violations,
• Time since their occurrence,
• Severity of each violation, and
• Number of relevant inspections. 

None of the violations are new, but the calculations — and ways the scores will be used — are changing with CSA 2010. Come November 30, the higher a carrier’s score, the greater likelihood their drivers will be scrutinized at inspections.

Like all aspects of CSA 2010 and the BASICs, we believe knowledge is power, and the more you know before the full rollout, the better off you’ll be for the long haul.