How Well Do You Know the BASICs?

November 19, 2019 Casey Nighbor

BASIC stands for Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category that the FMCSA uses to determine how a motor carrier ranks relative to other carriers.

1. Unsafe Driving

The Unsafe Driving BASIC addresses the requirements within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), specifically 49 CFR Parts 392 and 397. It refers to the operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by drivers in a dangerous or careless manner. Some example roadside safety violations include speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes and inattention. Violations can cause a motor carrier to rank poorly in this BASIC category.

Learn more about unsafe driving here.

2. Crash Indicator

FMCSA defines the Crash Indicator BASIC as a pattern of high crash involvement, including frequency and severity. It is based on information from state-reported crashes that meet reportable crash standards. The Crash Indicator BASIC uses crash history that is not specifically a behavior, but instead the consequence of a behavior or set of behaviors. 

Currently, the Crash Indicator BASIC can only be seen by enforcement personnel or by a motor carrier that is logged into its own safety profile; it is not publicly available. State-reported crashes raise the percentile rank of the Crash Indicator, which indicates lower safety compliance. FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) does not currently factor in crash accountability.

Learn more about crash indication here

3. Hours Of Service Compliance

The Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance BASIC addresses the requirements within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) at 49 CFR Parts 392 and 395. This BASIC includes violations of the regulations pertaining to records of duty status (RODS) as they relate to HOS requirements and the management of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver fatigue. 

Some example roadside safety violations include a driver operating more hours than allowed under HOS regulations and falsification of RODS

Learn more about hours of service compliance here.

4. Vehicle Maintenance

The Vehicle Maintenance BASIC addresses the requirements within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), specifically 49 CFR Parts 392, 393 and 396, to properly maintain a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and to prevent shifting loads, spilled or dropped cargo, and overloading of a CMV. Proper maintenance includes ensuring that lamps and reflectors are working, and tires are not worn. 

Some example roadside safety violations include operating an out-of-service vehicle or operating a vehicle with inoperative brakes, lights, or other mechanical defects, and failure to make required repairs. Improper load securement and cargo retention violations are also examples of roadside violations included in this BASIC.

Learn more about vehicle maintenance here.

5. Controlled Substances and Alcohol

The Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC addresses the requirements in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), specifically 49 CFR Parts 382 and 392. The Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC deals with the operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by drivers who are impaired due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications. 

Some example roadside violations include a drivers failing an alcohol test, which indicates an alcohol level of .02 or greater, and operating under the influence of illegal drugs.

Learn more about controlled substances and alcohol here.

6. Hazardous Materials Compliance

The HM Compliance BASIC specifically addresses the requirements within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), specifically 49 CFR Part 397 and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) 49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, 179, and 180, to safely transport HM on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). 

Some example roadside safety violations include failing to mark, label, or placard in accordance with the regulations and not properly securing a package containing HM. This BASIC also includes violations pertaining to cargo tank specification testing, loading/unloading, attendance, and leakage.

Learn more about hazardous materials compliance here.

7. Driver Fitness

The Driver Fitness BASIC addresses the requirements within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), specifically 49 CFR Parts 383 and 391, and refers to the operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV due to a lack of training, experience, or medical qualifications. 

Some example roadside safety violations include failure to have a valid and appropriate commercial driver’s license (CDL) and being medically unqualified to operate a CMV.

Learn more about driver fitness here.

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