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CSA Scores & CAB Alerts: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and How to Fix Them

What Are CSA Scores and CAB Reports?

Most carriers check their CSA scores using SMS through FMCSA’s Safer system. While Safer provides a basic overview, insurance agencies and brokers often use CAB (Central Analysis Bureau) for deeper insights.
CAB is essentially Safer on steroids, offering:
  • More data
  • Greater visibility into risk indicators
  • Detailed breakdowns of safety performance

A CAB report includes:

  • ISS scores
  • DOT ratings
  • BASIC alerts
  • Crash percentages
  • Serious violations
For smaller, clean fleets, quarterly CAB reports may be enough. Larger fleets, those with recent violations, or fleets facing DOT audits should request CAB alerts monthly—or more often—from their insurance agent.

Key Metrics in a CAB Report

Metric
What It Means
DOT Rating
Official safety rating: Satisfactory, Conditional, or Unsatisfactory
ISS Score
Inspection Selection System score (1–100) that determines likelihood of inspection
BASIC Alerts
Violations across seven categories that trigger alerts and raise ISS scores
Crash %
Percentage of crashes per power unit (e.g., 1 crash every 2 years with 10 units = 10%)

ISS Scores: Green, Yellow, Red

Score Range
Color
What It Means
1–49
🟢 Green
Low inspection priority; usually waved through
50–74
🟡 Yellow
Medium priority; inspection depends on officer discretion
75–100
🔴 Red
High priority; DOT is supposed to inspect
ISS scores are based on:
  • Out-of-service rates
  • BASIC alerts
  • Serious violations

BASIC Categories & Common Violations

Category
Common Violations
Unsafe Driving
Speeding, no seatbelt, reckless driving
Vehicle Maintenance
Burnt-out light bulbs, cracked windshields, worn tires
Hours of Service
False logs, exceeding daily driving limits
Controlled Substances
Drug/alcohol use (weed, DUI, etc.)
Driver Fitness
Expired licenses, missing medical cards, CDL issues
Hazardous Materials
Missing placards, incorrect endorsements
Crash Indicator
Frequency of crashes per power unit
Example: 10 trucks with 1 crash every two years = 10% crash rate, which brokers and insurers will notice.

How to Improve Scores by Category

1. Unsafe Driving

  • Install speed limiters to reduce speeding.
  • Use ELD systems like Motive to monitor driver behavior.
  • Reward clean inspections with bonuses ($200–$300).
  • Promote a culture of safety and accountability.

2. Vehicle Maintenance

  • Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections every time.
  • Keep spare parts (light bulbs, fuses, etc.) in each truck.
  • Use maintenance software like Fleetio for digital inspections and service tracking.
  • Address common issues like tire wear, windshield cracks, and brakes immediately.

3. Hours of Service

  • Invest in reliable ELD systems—avoid low-quality options.
  • Train drivers on proper log use and compliance.
  • Avoid dispatching loads that require violating HOS limits.

4. Controlled Substances & Alcohol

  • Conduct random drug and alcohol testing.
  • Immediately terminate drivers with DUIs or positive tests.
  • Keep detailed documentation of background checks and corrective actions.

Real Story:
A fleet of 11 trucks had a driver steal a truck and commit murder. Despite a $2M payout, their insurer renewed them at the same rate because they had strong documentation and a proactive safety culture.

5. Driver Fitness

  • Track CDL expirations, medical card renewals, and endorsements with spreadsheets or software.
  • Set automated reminders to avoid lapses.
  • Communicate deadlines clearly to drivers.

6. Hazardous Materials

  • Understand placard and endorsement requirements.
  • Use DataQs to challenge false violations (FMCSA recently issued mass false hazmat alerts).

7. Crash Indicator

  • Install forward-facing dash cams; use dual-facing if crash rates are high.
  • Pair new drivers with experienced mentors during onboarding.
  • Monitor for fatigue and risky driving patterns.

Final Thoughts: Culture Is Everything

No fleet is perfect. Even operations with 50 trucks can have red alerts. The difference between a fleet that thrives and one that struggles often comes down to culture.
FMCSA provides tools for compliance—success depends on using them:
  • Inspections
  • Maintenance logs
  • Drug and alcohol testing
  • Driver monitoring
Building a culture where safety is rewarded, violations are addressed, and accountability is consistent is the surest way to keep CSA scores low, CAB alerts clean, and freight opportunities strong.

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