Oklahoma Truck Accident Injury Law Library Selected Article Compiled on Monday January 20, 2025
New FMCSA System Aims to Reduce Truck Accidents
This year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates interstate trucking and passenger busses, implemented a new Safety Measurement System (SMS) that is designed to simultaneously reduce truck accidents and reduce the burden of inspection and regulation on trucking companies that consistently follow the rules.
One thing the new system does is focus enforcement efforts on seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) that have been identified as contributing to truck accidents and personal injury by FMCSA research. These BASIC areas are:
- Unsafe driving (speeding, reckless driving, and inattention)
- Fatigued driving (Hours-of-Service violations)
- Driver fitness (Drivers must hold appropriate licenses and be medically evaluated to ensure they are qualified)
- Controlled substances and alcohol (use or possession of controlled substances or alcohol while on duty)
- Vehicle maintenance (proper maintenance of trucks, including lights, brakes, and more)
- Cargo-related (proper loading and securing of cargo)
- Previous crashes
Motor carriers found to be in violation of any of these areas will receive greater scrutiny and have to undergo additional inspections to maintain roadworthiness. Companies without violations will be given fewer inspections.
Hopefully, in addition to reducing the number of truck accidents, this new system will get dangerous carriers off the road more quickly and document their safety lapses. In addition, it may provide greater documentation in support of personal injury lawsuits related to truck accidents.
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a truck accident, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you get compensation. To learn more about your legal rights, please contact Self & Associates in Oklahoma City to schedule a consultation.
This year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates interstate trucking and passenger busses, implemented a new Safety Measurement System (SMS) that is designed to simultaneously reduce truck accidents and reduce the burden of inspection and regulation on trucking companies that consistently follow the rules.
One thing the new system does is focus enforcement efforts on seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) that have been identified as contributing to truck accidents and personal injury by FMCSA research. These BASIC areas are:
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