CSA's Data Trail

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, perhaps more so during the May 4-6 Roadcheck event.

April 30, 2021

truck inspections per lane-mile 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Live with Overdrive, CVSA, Payne Trucking: Exploring DataQs hurdles and criticisms

Join Overdrive's Todd Dills on Thursday, Feb. 25 for a live discussion about DOT's DataQs crash and inspection information review system, featuring Chris Turner of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and Chris Haney of Payne Trucking.

February 18, 2021

How info errors hurt, and the owner-op's DataQs advantage

Simple data mistakes aren’t always simple to fix through the DataQs system. One-truck independents and mega-fleets do particularly well working that system, regardless.

February 15, 2021

Man standing in open service area in front of semi truck

Owner-operators remain in crosshairs of DOT's offsite reviews

In a trend that exploded in 2020, the U.S. DOT and its enforcement partners are continuing to leverage new authority amid the pandemic to perform offsite, remote safety audits and compliance reviews of trucking companies in lieu of onsite reviews.

February 17, 2021

Though the total number of safety audits of motor carriers fell again last year on an annual basis, the number of audits conducted offsite soared to more than half of all audits.

Red tape, deaf ears: DataQs criticism mounts

Setting the Record Straight: This multipart feature kicks off with a look at how the DataQs process frustrates many who attempt to correct info associated with inspections, crashes.

February 15, 2021

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dollar sign, state of california sign

California contractor law: Likely next steps, pivots for truckers if enforced

Many feel indiscriminate application of AB 5 to trucking is like carpet-bombing a legitimate business model in leasing owner-ops, when the weapon the state needs is already in its tool belt, a hammer for tax dodgers 1099'ing drivers who own no equipment.

John Malayter signing while playing guitar

Trucker Talent Search semi-finalists announced

Barb and Shawn Duncan

Cancer survivor featured on Overdrive’s Music to Truck By

truck at natural gas site

Rising oil prices -- for this dry bulk hauler, there's far less fear than opportunity

Latest Gear Guide includes tips on in-cab lighting, cleaning your truck and

Latest Gear Guide includes tips on in-cab lighting, cleaning your truck and

Remembering the inaugural Pennsylvania Make-a-Wish Mother's Day convoy

More episodes »

The Business Manual for Owner-Operators

Overdrive editors and ATBS present the industry’s best manual for prospective and committed owner-operators. You’ll find exceptional depth on many issues in the 2021 edition of Partners in Business.

Partners in Business Issue Cover