FMCSA to Host Carrier-Fitness Meeting at Texas Trucking Show

WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is set to host an in-person listening session at the Texas Trucking Show in Houston on June 29 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The session aims to gather “diverse experiences and perspectives” from the trucking industry regarding plans to update the government's method for rating motor carriers on safety, determining when a motor carrier is deemed unfit to operate.

This initiative reflects FMCSA’s commitment to refining the current Safety Fitness Determination (SFD) system. The agency seeks public input on a variety of issues, including the potential shift from the existing three-tiered rating system (Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Conditional) to a single rating that would only be applied when a carrier is found to be unfit. Such a change is expected to make the safety rating system more straightforward and possibly more stringent.

Key topics for discussion at the session include the use of inspection data, the agency’s Safety Measurement System (SMS), incorporating driver behavior into SFD ratings, and adjusting the weights assigned to specific violations. Notably, FMCSA is considering increasing the weight for unsafe driving violations, signaling a possible tougher stance on driving behavior.

To attend the listening session, registration for the Texas Trucking Show — which is free — is required. Each participant will have a three-minute slot to speak. FMCSA encourages attendance from individuals with varied experiences and perspectives to ensure a comprehensive dialogue.

In addition to the in-person session, FMCSA plans to host two related virtual-only listening sessions, with dates to be announced for June and July. This approach indicates FMCSA’s intent to reach a broader audience, ensuring diverse input from across the industry.

The push to revise the SFD process was announced last year, with trucking companies and freight brokers advocating for the assignment of safety ratings to carriers currently without one. Public comments highlighted that over 90% of the freight market operates without a safety rating. Federal data from 2021 supports this concern, revealing that of 690,091 interstate freight carriers eligible for an FMCSA safety rating, 646,777 — approximately 94% — did not have one.

These sessions represent FMCSA’s proactive steps towards a more inclusive and effective safety rating regime, aiming to enhance overall safety in the trucking industry. The outcomes from these discussions could lead to significant changes in how motor carriers are assessed and regulated, ultimately impacting the safety and efficiency of freight transportation across the country.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-to-host-carrier-fitness-meeting-at-texas-trucking-show