SMS Methodology (SMS)Posted by Kevin Snobel at 03:16 PM
Let's take a look at system and how it has gone wrong.
1) Did you know that the SMS methodology targets only FOR-HIRE Motor Carriers operating more than 20 CMV's. Therefore it does not keep BASICs for over 80% of the carriers it regulates.
2) For most small carriers the Agency (FMCSA) lacks sufficient data to be statistically relevant under the law of large numbers.
3) When studying the total number of UNSAFE DRIVING BASIC 41 % of the violations occur in 5 States, this would tend to lead one to believe the numbers more a function of where the carrier operates rather than its performance.
4) IF SMS is supposed to increase safety and help on the road, why then is VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BASIC that accumulates the most points in the areas of tires brakes and trailer lights with no proven correlation to safety. HMMMMMM? Anyone here using DATAQ's
Did you know as of September 2011 over 50,000 that's correct FIFTY THOUSAND, carriers have been branded as above enforcement thresholds.
5) Simple known fact that in the so called FATIGUED DRIVING BASIC score, only 16% of the industry is measured and half of the points accumulated are not assignable to carriers who have ONBOARD RECORDING DEVICES or are not required to log.
IS SMS working ? ASK YOURSELF How can a system that does not measure and compare everyone and everyone company and every one involved work. Numbers can and are skewed.
Comments
Really???? I actually thought that maybe this was really going to make the roads safer.
This must have been developed by a bunch of gov't bureaucrats who live on another planet and only come here to bug us! The good news for me is that we are a very small operator and can quit worrying.
I will check, out of curiosity, but I bet Michigan is one of the five.
Why don't they just ask a few truckers how to spot the bad guys?
Posted by: Paul Langman | October 24, 2011 08:57 PM
That I think is the maitake too many Small Companies are making. That thinking i'm too small for the U.S. DOT to worry about me. They are busy in their own backyard, howewver remember (1) The gov't needs money (2) we are easy targets (3) I have just assisted 4 companies selected for U.S. DOT audits, does the words throw the book at us mean anything
Posted by: Kevin Snobel | October 30, 2011 09:09 PM
The biggest problem in the U.S. trucking industry was a lack of historical data on behavioural driving traits that would follow the driver when he left a carrier. When the driver left ABC trucking to start at XYZ trucking, it was basically a fresh start for the driver except for drug and alcohol testing and accidents. There is now more accountability on all drivers, maybe not all carriers, but eventually it will. This should pave the way to lower driver turn over rates, leaving more money for training and monitoring, which leads to better safety stats. Look at Ontario!
Personally I think it’s the first step in the right direction. Is the system perfect…? NO. Anyone involved in implementing systems knows its not going to be perfect and there are going to be challenges and steps of implementation along the way. You start in an area that is manageable and will have the biggest impact, then work into the smaller details or less impacted areas. The numbers could be skewed to read this way; 20% of the large carriers that are being measured, most likely they employ 80% of the driving force and those drivers have 80% more exposure on the road.
Instead of saying “Let's take a look at the system and how it has gone wrong”, lets look to the future and the ultimate goal.
Posted by: Tom Boehler | October 31, 2011 05:47 PM