CSA 2010 - BASICs

What are the Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs)?

SMS is organized into seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). The BASICs sort the carrier's safety information into specific categories. Through studies, the Agency quantified the relationship between the different categories, violations and crash risks, as well as statistical analysis and input from enforcement subject matter experts.

The BASICs are defined as follows:

•Unsafe Driving BASIC — Operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in a dangerous or careless manner. Example violations: speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change, and inattention. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 397)

•Fatigued Driving (Hours-of-Service) BASIC — Operation of CMVs by drivers who are ill, fatigued, or in non-compliance with the Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations. Example violations: exceeding HOS, maintaining an incomplete or inaccurate logbook, and operating a CMV while ill or fatigued. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 395)

•Driver Fitness BASIC — Operation of CMVs by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV due to lack of training, experience, or medical qualifications. Example violations: failing to have a valid and appropriate commercial driver's license and being medically unqualified to operate a CMV. (FMCSR Parts 383 and 391)

•Controlled Substances and Alcohol BASIC — Operation of CMVs by drivers who are impaired due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications. Example violations: use or possession of controlled substances or alcohol. (FMCSR Parts 382 and 392)

•Vehicle Maintenance BASIC — Failure to properly maintain a CMV. Example violations: brakes, lights, and other mechanical defects, and failure to make required repairs. (FMCSR Parts 393 and 396)

•Cargo-Related BASIC — Failure to properly prevent shifting loads, spilled or dropped cargo, and unsafe handling of hazardous materials on a CMV. Example violations: improper load securement, cargo retention, and hazardous material handling. (FMCSR Parts 392, 393, 397 and applicable DOT HM regulations)

•Crash Indicator — SMS evaluates a motor carrier's crash history. Crash history is not specifically a behavior. Rather, it is a consequence of a behavior and may indicate a problem with the carrier that warrants intervention. It is based on information from State-reported crash reports and identifies histories or patterns of high crash involvement, including frequency and severity.

For more information, visit the Department of Transportation site here.