After enduring a great deal of criticism over its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) trucking management system, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) has agreed to allow one of its subcommittees to thoroughly review its processes.

The CSA is one of the most widely praised and widely criticized trucking regulations on the books in the United States. Trucking advocacy groups, lobbyists and others have long-demanded that the FMCSA review the CSA, as these groups believe that many of its provisions are ineffective and unnecessarily hurt both the trucking industry and drivers themselves. Other safety advocates are concerned that watering down the CSA could leave motorists everywhere vulnerable to trucking safety loophole consequences.

The FMCSA will soon be employing the help of its CSA subcommittee in order to weigh the concerns of both groups and to review the CSA's processes objectively. It is worth noting however, that the FMCSA is not required to implement any of the subcommittee's recommendations concerning any issue, whether it be safety, labor or enforcement related.

However, the fact that the FMCSA has determined that it will allow the subcommittee to employ valuable time and resources to determine whether the objectives, focus and general priorities of the CSA are functioning effectively and increasing safety is a positive step. Both trucking lobbyists and safety advocacy groups can rest assured that their concerns will be heard and evaluated.

Only time will tell what the subcommittee's work will accomplish. But the FMCSA's commitment to the safety of the American public has again been reinforced by this decision and that is something that everyone can be glad about.

Source: The Trucker, "FMCSA advisory panel to conduct thorough review of CSA," Oct. 19, 2012