Top Five Myths Among Drivers Regarding CSA
Derek Hinton - DOTJobHistory.com

“How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?”
Homer Simpson

Yeah, well, some things are worth knowing even if you do forget something else. And if you are a commercial driver, knowing at least some important things about CSA is worth your while even if you forget something else.

It’s also useful to not “know”  things that are wrong. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), is a well-known leader in transportation-related research. This past August, they issued the results of a report obtained from a survey of over 4500 drivers. The entire report can be found at .http://www.atri-online.org/research/safety/ATRI_CSA_Driver_Survey_Results.pdf

A part of the survey was to determine myths or misconceptions on the part of commercial drivers regarding CSA. The below is an excerpt.

Prevalent Myths

● Among the 14 items constituting ATRI’s knowledge test, a majority were designed to mirror the common myths that surrounded CSA’s December 2010 national launch. Despite FMCSA efforts to counter these myths with a straightforward fact sheet hosted on the agency’s website,10 many misperceptions appeared to remain among the 4,555 survey respondents. Among them:

● · 87.3% of drivers falsely believed that traffic tickets/convictions are part of FMCSA’s SMS calculations

The data kept by a State (i.e. tickets, citations, written warnings, convictions) and the data that are kept in the SMS (i.e. violations from RI and crash reports) are separate.

● · 77.5% of drivers incorrectly believed that a trucking company inherits past violations from new hires

Carriers do not inherit any of a newly hired driver’s past violations; only those inspections that a driver receives while driving under a carrier’s authority can be applied to a carrier’s SMS record.

● · 72.2% of drivers falsely believed that FMCSA can revoke a commercial driver’s license (CDL) as a result of CSA

CSA does not give FMCSA the authority to remove drivers from their jobs and cannot be used to rate drivers or to revoke a CDL; only State agencies responsible for issuing licenses, CDL or otherwise, have the authority to suspend them.

● · 68.6% of drivers falsely believed that CSA takes into account a driver’s personal vehicle driving record

Tickets or warnings that CMV drivers receive while operating their personal vehicles do not count in the SMS.

● · 58.5% of drivers falsely believed that the FMCSRs have changed as a result of CSA

CSA has not changed any of FMCSA’s regulations, although FMCSA is advocating for a future rule change to alter the carrier safety rating.

If you are a commercial driver, CSA is one of those things you should be familiar with because it directly affects your employability. For years, it has been advisable to know what your driving, employment (including “DAC Report”) and criminal records say about you and correct any errors. Even if there are not any errors, it is important to have this information so that you may accurately complete an employment application. Your CSA experience is now something you should monitor and keep in mind how your actions affect your CSA report. It affects your livelihood.

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As an independent contractor or lease purchase driver, they understand that your business is your nest egg. And at J.B. Hunt, they’re committed to helping you protect it.

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Who will be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 Presidential election?

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Newt Gingrich - 15%
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Ron Paul - 14%
Someone Else - 12%

We’ll know for sure come August when the Republican National Convention is held in Tampa.

In the meantime, check out the TruckDriver.com CSA Safety Score Survey.

We hope your Valentine’s Day was everything you wanted it to be!

Until next time, keep on truckin’ and please drive safely.

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