Monitor and Improve Your CSA Scores

The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program uses the Safety Measurement System (SMS) to evaluate carrier performance across seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs): Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Vehicle Maintenance, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Hazardous Materials Compliance, and Driver Fitness.

Each BASIC is scored on a percentile scale from 0 to 100, with higher percentiles indicating worse performance relative to peer carriers. When your percentile exceeds certain thresholds — typically 65% for most BASICs and 50% for Hazmat and Crash Indicator — FMCSA may initiate interventions ranging from warning letters to compliance reviews.

Your CSA scores directly impact your insurance premiums, shipper selection decisions, and ability to attract quality drivers. A poor CSA profile can cost you tens of thousands of dollars per year in increased insurance alone.

Improving CSA scores requires a multi-pronged approach. SELAM implements targeted strategies based on your specific BASIC scores and violation history.

For Unsafe Driving, we review driver behaviors and implement training programs targeting the most common violations. For Vehicle Maintenance, we ensure your inspection and maintenance records meet every requirement and coach drivers on proper pre-trip inspections. For Hours of Service, we review ELD data for patterns that suggest compliance issues.

We also aggressively challenge violations that are incorrect, improperly recorded, or eligible for removal through the DataQs process. A single successful challenge can significantly improve your percentile score, especially for smaller carriers where each violation has a larger impact.