Behavior analysis and safety improvement categories (BASICs)

Glossary / Fleet safety / Behavior analysis and safety improvement categories (BASICs)

Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, commonly known as BASICs, are seven specific areas of focus that the United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses to evaluate the safety performance of commercial motor vehicle operators. The FMCSA uses these categories to determine whether a carrier has safety problems and requires intervention. The seven BASICs categories are: Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance, Hazardous Materials Compliance, and Crash Indicator.

Unsafe Driving BASIC measures a carrier’s safety performance in relation to the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles. This includes traffic violations, crashing, and other
unsafe driving behaviors. Hours-of-Service Compliance BASIC assesses whether a carrier is in compliance with the federal regulations that govern the number of hours a driver can work and drive. Driver Fitness BASIC evaluates whether a carrier is ensuring their drivers are qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.

Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC examines whether a carrier is following regulations surrounding drug and alcohol testing and ensuring that drivers are not operating vehicles under the influence. Vehicle Maintenance BASIC measures whether a carrier is maintaining their commercial motor vehicle equipment according to federal safety standards. Hazardous Materials Compliance BASIC evaluates whether a carrier is following regulations related to hazardous materials transportation. Finally, Crash Indicator BASIC examines whether a carrier has been involved in crashes and the severity and frequency of those crashes.

Learn more about ELD Compliance solutions from Motive

Frequently Asked Questions

Behavior Analysis is a scientific approach to understanding and modifying behavior. It is widely used in industries to improve safety and productivity. Safety improvement categories basic scores are used to measure the effectiveness of safety programs in reducing accidents and incidents. These scores are calculated based on the number of incidents and their severity, which are then categorized into various levels. The higher the score, the better the safety performance.

The 7 basic safety measurement categories within the FMCSA safety measurement system are: Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance, Hazardous Materials Compliance, and Crash Indicator. These categories help assess and monitor the safety performance of commercial motor carriers by evaluating various aspects of their operations, driver behavior, compliance with regulations, and the condition of their vehicles.

There are seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS).

These categories include:
– Unsafe Driving
– Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance
– Driver Fitness
– Controlled Substances/Alcohol
– Vehicle Maintenance
– Hazardous Materials Compliance
– Crash Indicator

These categories are used to assess and monitor the safety performance of commercial motor carriers and drivers based on various factors related to their operations and
compliance.

There are seven CSA scoring categories that are used to evaluate the safety and compliance of commercial motor vehicles and their drivers. These categories include unsafe driving, hours of service compliance, driver fitness, controlled substances/alcohol use, vehicle maintenance, hazardous materials compliance, and crash history. Each category is assigned a score based on the level of compliance and safety observed, with the overall score determining the vehicle’s safety rating.