This mock SMS drilldown on FMCSA’s SMS Preview site shows how the threshold changes impact carriers above the current 80 percent threshold but below the proposed 90 percent threshold.The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published Wednesday in the Federal Register its notice announcing proposed changes to the Compliance, Safety, Accountability carrier rating system and is looking for public comment on the changes based on a website that allows fleets and owner-operators to preview the changes.
As Overdrive reported earlier this week, the main changes available for preview include lowering intervention thresholds for some SMS categories/BASICs, raising the threshold in one BASIC and making the Hazmat BASIC public and splitting it into two segments. The preview can be seen at this link. The agency also has proposed upping the minimum number of crashes needed before registering a Crash Indicator BASIC ranking, a change also available for preview on the SMS Preview site.
Results: Have you previewed changes in your scores? If you’re reading on a smartphone, tap the image to call and leave us a message to weigh in on the difference, if any. We’ll round up responses in a special mailbag podcast. Alternately, drop a comment below. If you’re on a desktop, call 530-408-6423. Make sure to tell us your name and state of residence.FMCSA will also host four question and answer sessions in October for the truckers and the public to ask questions about the proposed changes. The agency has made available a video outlining the proposed changes and how to use the preview site along with review slides and a transcript of the video. The four online webinar sessions will be held on the following days and times:
- Wednesday, Oct. 12, 9-10:30 a.m. Central
- Thursday, Oct. 13, 1-2:30 p.m. Central
- Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2-3:30 p.m. Central
- Thursday, Oct. 20, 10-11:30 a.m. Central
Those interested in participating in the sessions can register for them here. The agency is accepting comments for 60 days through Dec. 3, which can be made here, or by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0149 at www.regulations.gov.
