PORTLAND, Ore. — TransCore’s CarrierWatch has compiled an early analysis of how fleets are measuring up under the new Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) safety measurement system in the US.

In evaluating the scores of about 166,000 for-hire interstate carriers evaluated under the program, TransCore found: carriers may have Alerts under CSA even if their numeric scores are good or non-existent; more carriers have Alerts under CSA than had ‘deficient’ ratings under SafeStat; and CSA BASIC scores and Alerts vary significantly by state.

A white paper published by TransCore noted that 90% of freight carriers with more than 500 trucks have at least one BASIC score while 25% of interstate freight haulers with five or fewer trucks have at least one score. This is because the nature of CSA makes it easier to evaluate carriers with more trucks on the road.

Thirty-four per cent of interstate freight carriers have a numeric score for at least one BASIC but only 0.3% have a numeric score in every BASIC, TransCore found.

“The net effect of the new safety program is that the size of the carrier and the location of its domicile and routes are among the factors that will affect the carrier’s safety scores more than ever before,” the white paper revealed.

The states showing the highest increase in CSA Alerts compared to SafeStat deficiencies include: Indiana, Georgia, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, with each of those states assessing at least 50% more CSA Alerts than SafeStat deficiencies.

Other states that are issuing significantly more Alerts under CSA include: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, South Carolina and Maine.

States with the highest percentage of CSA Alerts for the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC include: Texas; Oklahoma; Arkansas; Louisiana; Mississippi; Alabama; Georgia; South Carolina; and Florida – so drivers will want to be particularly cognizant of the condition of their equipment when hauling into the southeast.

Meanwhile, the Midwestern states are assessing the most Alerts for Unsafe Driving, specifically: Illinois; Kansas; Nebraska; Iowa; Indiana; Michigan; Kentucky; and West Virginia.

In terms of reach, CSA seems to be more effective than SafeStat. Fifty per cent of carriers had no data available under SafeStat while 23% of carriers have no data recorded under CSA. Sixteen per cent of carriers had deficient SafeStat scores while 21% have Alerts under CSA.

Thirteen per cent of freight carriers have received Alerts for fatigued driving while 8.2% have garnered Alerts under the vehicle maintenance BASIC.

To download the complete report, visit www.transcorefreightsolutions.com.