MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is implementing a new carrier safety rating system next year, and Canadian carriers run the risk of being caught off-guard if they’re not up to speed on the new program.

To that end, the final Driving for Profit seminar of 2009 will focus on the Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010) initiative and inform Canadian cross-border carriers how the new program will impact them.

The seminar will be held Nov. 3 at the Capital Banquet Centre in Mississauga.

 “We will have one of North America’s CSA 2010 experts on-hand to deliver a presentation on this major North American initiative,” announced Kim Richardson, Driving for Profit partner. “Jeff Davis from Jet Express of Dayton Ohio has put on numerous presentations across the country about the importance of CSA 2010 and potential consequences to Canadian motor carriers.”

CSA 2010 is already being tested in several states and by the time the program is rolled out, Canadian carriers that operate in the US will already be scored under the new system. The system rates drivers in addition to carriers and driver scores are counted towards or against the rating of the company they drive for.

Penalties are harsh, ranging from costly fines to corrective actions that can eventually have a carrier suspended from US operations due to an “unfit” status.

Also presenting at the seminar will be networking guru Allison Graham and Ontario Trucking Association president David Bradley. The 2009 Canadian Recruiting and Retention awards will also be presented during the seminar.

Registration costs just $65 (including a continental breakfast) and is accepted online at www.drivingforprofit.com.