Trucking group seeks changes to CSA system amid D.C. sniping

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been called upon by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) to revamp the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) system.

This request was made after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and a U.S. senator criticized the current system. The criticism occurred during a Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security meeting. The GAO criticized FMCSA for not doing anything to address previous grievances over the system. The GAO has recommended that the FMCSA revise the system to improve the accountability for safety performance, including better monitoring of "high-risk drivers."

In turn, FMCSA has criticized Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb), the subcommittee's chairwoman, for trying to regulate U.S. truckers to such an extent.

The ATA previously requested that FMCSA eliminate CSA scores until the system is improved. The ATA also asks that FMCSA change i

“Yesterday, the flaws in CSA were again highlighted and again the agency insisted it will do nothing to correct them,” Bill Graves, ATA President and CEO, said. “FMCSA should not just hear the concerns expressed by Senator Fischer and the GAO, but address them with real action.”

The ATA is the largest national association for truckers. It has affiliates in 50 states, with coordinating conferences and councils related to the trucking industry.