FMCSA Pushes CSA 2010 Launch to Dec. 12

CSA 2010 will launch no earlier than Dec. 12, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says, delaying the publication of carrier data by about a week.

That gives motor carriers a few more days to review their safety performance data and address any unsafe behavior before the agency makes that data public.

Previously, the agency was expected to release motor carrier scores in five of seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories Dec. 5.

All seven BASIC scores were made available online to motor carriers in April.

The agency this month will begin sending warning letters to carriers whose BASIC scores cross thresholds and are placed on "alert."

A coalition of associations representing small trucking outfits is seeking a federal court order delaying the release of the BASIC scores to the public.

Those groups want the FMCSA to develop a new carrier safety fitness rating system before making their performance data available to shippers and brokers.

-- Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com.