1. The Safety Measurement System (SMS)
The FMCSA monitors motor carrier safety through the Safety Measurement System (SMS), which organizes roadside inspection, violation, and crash data into seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs).
2. The 7 BASIC Safety Categories
The seven categories evaluated under the SMS methodology include:
- 1. Unsafe Driving: Speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes, seat belt violations.
- 2. Crash Indicator: History of state-reported crash involvements over a 24-month window.
- 3. Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance: Logbook accuracy, driving beyond legal hours, rest break compliance.
- 4. Vehicle Maintenance: Brakes, lights, tire wear, mechanical defects, load securement.
- 5. Controlled Substances and Alcohol: Operating under the influence, failed drug screenings.
- 6. Hazardous Materials Compliance: Leaking packaging, missing placards, improper labeling.
- 7. Driver Fitness: Medical certification, valid commercial driver's license (CDL) endorsements.