CSA 2010 and Its Affect on Drivers and Companies

Recently an interview took place with the safety director of a large owner operator carrier in one of the CSA 2010 test states.

The carrier has had one intervention under the new CSA 2010 rules. The intervention was an on-site investigation and lasted approximately 3 days. The intervention was triggered by violations regarding speeding and cargo securement.

The safety director indicated his biggest concern with CSA 2010 had to do with unsafe driving, especially as it relates to speeding. The big problem is some drivers that had been considered safe drivers are now ending up with poor safety scores. The reason is that under CSA 2010 the same number of points will be deducted for a WARNING for speeding as they would have been if a CITATION had been issued. So some drivers that had been lucky enough to just a get a warning are now being hit with point deductions, which in the end led to an intervention. My comment here is that safety training is the key to prevent this from occurring. Drivers can’t rely on being lucky or getting by with a warning. They simply can not speed or do anything that will result in a roadside inspection and continuous safe driving messages are the only way to change a driver’s behavior.

The other area of concern for the safety director is the confusion created by some states having slightly different regulations than other states. Making it very difficult for their owner operators to understand what rules are applied where. Once again, confusion seems to be prevalent in the CSA 2010 test states.

The safety director said they have been using the company newsletter to inform their owner operators of CSA 2010 and the fact that they (the owner operators) are in charge of their own safety rating.

Finally, the safety director said his overall impression of CSA 2010 is that it has some really solid safety potential but with some built in problems.


Author Unknown

Driver Shortage or Shortage of Good Drivers

All to often I hear in the industry that we have a driver shortage. We have been watching drivers retire and leave the industry for years and we are not replacing them fast enough with capable experienced drivers. I have seen companies that never used student drivers now begin to rethink that concept and thought process. I have also watched while other companies have raised their criteria while some have relaxed their criteria.

CSA 2010 adds a whole new dimension to the equation. And lets not forget what the insurance companies do for the industry either. Recent data can be found that discusses how vehicular accidents caused by larger commercial trucks is down. I have seen in this recruiting business, that there really isnt a shortage of drivers. Just a shortage of the drivers that the insurance companies and CSA 2010 allows us to draw from.

I would like to hear from anyone who would like to weigh in on this topic and discuss the pro's or cons. Hope to hear from you and to create some intellectual and stimulating discussions

Truckers America takes it to Radio

Join us on 5/21/2011 at 11:00 am EST as we discuss current openings we are trying to fill. We have over 400 driving positions to fill and need interested company drivers and owner operators. Check out our site at http://www.truckersamerica.com/. See our current openings tab and our quick apply online page.

Don't forget to mark your calendar and listen in or call in to discuss our positions. I look forward to hearing from you and taking your calls.