CSA's Data Trail

Regulations
FMCSA updates warning-letter protocol to hit more carriers | Expect I-35 delays in southern Okla.
FMCSA now sending more warning letters for Unsafe Driving BASIC scores. In other news: I-35 will be narrowed to one lane in each direction near mile marker 8 in Oklahoma; Cummins/Rush now joint natural gas developers; more ELD data in Trucker Tools.
January 18, 2022
Highway Construction Work
CSA's Data Trail
The intensity of brakes, other vehicle enforcement is highest in these states
What's your guess for the state most prone to hand out the highest rate of violations in any inspection? What about brake violations, a big focus of next week's nationwide brake-blitz? Find out what the numbers say here.
August 20, 2021
2020 violations per inspection infographic cropped
CSA's Data Trail
The hours enforcement 'black hole' out West
Nationally, hours of service violations were issued in smaller numbers in 2020, continuing a long-term trend. Yet looked at another way, the intensity of focus on hours in inspections has increased, particularly so in these contiguous states.
July 29, 2021
2020 hours of service violations map west US
CSA's Data Trail
The 14-state truck speed trap
Find here the jurisdictions that most heavily prioritize speeding violations, based on the inspection reports filed by truck-enforcement jurisdictions. Also: Toughest states for moving violations overall, and broad enforcement trend data.
July 6, 2021
14 state speed trap
CSA's Data Trail
Roadcheck hotspots: States with highest inspection and lights/hours violation intensity
Overdrive's latest CSA's Data Trail update, bringing in 2020 data: States ranked high for inspection intensity show high likelihood of inspecting a truck in normal times, and more so when inspection-blitz season heats up annually in Spring and Summer.
April 30, 2021
truck inspections per lane-mile 2021
Channel 19
Roadcheck inspections: To avoid or not to avoid, or both?
Updated results show more than a fourth of readers planning to sit this one out, yet intentions are not the same as actual action, as past Roadchecks indicate. Find data here on likely May 4-6 inspection hotspots, perspectives on enforcement and more.
April 8, 2021
Almost a fourth of owner-ops were planning to take a vacation for the week to avoid the hassles associated with inspection – delays, for most, violations and the chance of the dreaded out-of-service violation for others. Another five percent, too, would be off the road for planned major maintenance and/or shop inspection, a tack taken by owner-operator Mike Crawford of Long Lane, Missouri, every year over the last several, as you'll see.
Overdrive Radio
CSA's Achilles' Heel: Exposed carrier data
In this Overdrive Radio podcast, views on unintended consequences that continue to be big problems for carriers. The entire trucking, enforcement and regulator community should do a lot better, two panelists contend, working together to solve issues.
April 23, 2021
police receiving information from man
Channel 19
The power of video evidence in fighting tickets, DataQs challenges
Courtroom crash dissembling and drama can be cut as with a sharp knife by good video evidence that proves your case, as this example from a Virginia bulk hauler shows clearly. It helps a speedy DataQs challenge, too.
April 1, 2021
Tow rig parked on shoulder of road with semi-truck
Overdrive Radio
Roadcheck preps in a mobile-heavy state, where inspection numbers continue up
In today's Overdrive Radio, an Alabama captain explains his state's continued emphasis on inspection screening via "virtual weigh stations" with weigh-in-motion and/or other technologies for inspection screening. Also: Plenty Roadcheck tips for May 4-6.
March 26, 2021
Semi-truck stopped at a scale
Channel 19
Colorado coops are open: Hours enforcement trending up in the Centennial State
Heads-up north-south on I-25 in Colorado, driver. Hours of service violations are clearly on an upward prioritization trend in the Centennial State. Also: Pro tip on I-70 in Indiana for good eats "like homecooking" you might otherwise overlook.
March 24, 2021
Colorado hours of service violations 2017-2020
Regulations
Despite shifts in DOT policy, safety ratings for owner-ops still hard to come by in 2020
Though FMCSA believes its off-site audit experiment, accelerating plans laid prior to the pandemic, is a success, dramatically reduced safety rating numbers tell a different story.
March 11, 2021
State trooper car parked
CSA's Data Trail
The toughest 15 states for lights violations, one of the 2021 Roadcheck emphases
Here are the top 15 states when it comes to a propensity to issue lights-related violations. And data also point to both 2021 Roadcheck enforcement-emphasis areas in Georgia, Vermont and Nevada.
March 4, 2021
2019 top 15 for light related violations map
Regulations
DataQs improvement trial nears, but lingering problems bother industry
Two trucking and law enforcement reps shared loads of mutual respect during a webcast discussion on DataQs, but the fleet executive, Chris Haney, left no doubt about concerns shared by many over the seriousness of CSA's “unintended consequences.”
March 1, 2021
semi truck inspection by alabama state trooper
Regulations
How to mount an effective DataQs challenge
Setting up a successful DataQ begins at the scene of the crash or routine roadside or weigh station inspection -- documenting the facts of the case and, then, following through when errors are made.
February 15, 2021
Two men going over paperwork
Voices
POLL: Were you audited in 2020?
Was it conducted off-site? Did you receive a safety rating or a non-ratable outcome? Weigh in here if you have as yet to participate in this poll looking at audit outcomes among Overdrive readers amid the FMCSA's new off-site focus for audits.
February 24, 2021
Offsite Audits 2020
CSA's Data Trail
Live Q&A: Exploring hurdles and criticisms of DOT's DataQs
Join Overdrive, CVSA, and Payne Trucking here for this live live discussion and Q&A about DOT's DataQs crash/inspection info correction system, problems posed, and the reform landscape -- originally broadcast February 25.
February 24, 2021
Setting Record Straight Logo
Regulations
Mounting efforts to improve DataQs appeals fairness
Some in law enforcement and the trucking community see an opportunity to improve the appeals process, drawing on models already in place. Meantime, carriers using the system see it as structurally rigged to defeat most appeals.
February 15, 2021
Clark Freight semi trucks with trailers
Overdrive Radio
Listen: Fairness in DataQs appeals in Minnesota
State patrol Captain Jon Olsen on the appeals-panel model, tips and suggestions for carriers and more. And: Just how disruptive has the Texas weather been this week? An answer from a Laredo-based small fleet coming out of the dark.
February 19, 2021
Left to right - Tennessee State Trooper performing an inspection, a silhouette of a person standing in front of a semi-truck being inspected, and John Olsen in uniform
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