How CSA 2010 Will Affect New Truck Drivers

CSA 2010 goes into effect next July. CSA 2010, Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010, is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce commercial motor vehicle (CMV)-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities. This means, among other things, that truck driving companies have about eight months to begin screening their applicants for higher fitness levels.

Currently the Comprehensive Safety Analysis applies to any road side inspection, but up until now it has not rated the fitness of the truck driver. What this might mean for carriers is that some of their drivers might not be qualified to drive a truck due to poor health habits. In a profession which tends to be rather sedentary, this can potentially exclude many prospects as well as force current drivers to get into better shape. This will also mean that new drivers attending truck driving school may be sent home if they don't meet the CSA standards when they receive their first physical.

Knowing this change is coming in the next several months, there are many things carriers can do to educate their drivers on living better to improve their health. Carriers should encourage not only getting proper rest while on the road, but also a better diet, encouraging them away from greasy spoons and getting plenty of exercise when taking a break.

While the new policy set to go into effect in July may indeed affect the carrier’s safety rating, having healthier drivers is good for everyone, on and off the road.

Comments for How CSA 2010 Will Affect New Truck Drivers

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Monday, February 22, 2010 by Denise:: Maybe the government should look at the welfare system. Our country has the highest obese rate than any other country and a large percentage of them are on food stamps. So instead of worring about people who maintain jobs and are over weight, let's do something about the people who sit on their obese butts and do nothing!
Monday, August 16, 2010 by Gordon Bulduc:: Many responsible drivers will ultimately be incriminated by the trucking company's poorly maintained equipment and other factors beyond his control. The crackdown should come down on marginal equipment used in the industry first which would make many companies upgrade their trucks to a new standard. Bad or marginal drivers in turn should be made to improve their daily routine or face job elimination.
Monday, December 27, 2010 by Joe Jackson:: This is the best thing for everybody. Shape up or ship out. I stopped driving because it's hard to compete with the cheaters. Charge everthing to the hour like $25 per/hour then watch things change . To all those company out there that are ripping off drTHE DRIVERS . THE day has come. AND DRIVER START STICKING TOGERTHER.............