If prevention fails, one of the most practical methods to avoid Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) severity points is to dispute all point-producing traffic tickets and roadside inspection violations in Truckee Courthouse with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) traffic attorney.
The first step is to understand the CSA system and how these points and time weight affect your CA motor vehicle driving record (MVR) and your Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) record at the DOT FMCSA.
However, CSA severity and their time-weight multiple affect your carrier’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) percentile, often used to determine their fleet insurance premium.
It could also determine their safety record. Percentiles above 75 will result in intervention actions by the FMCSA.
The most significant intervention is that every truck using its DOT number will be pulled into open weigh stations for inspection.
What Are CSA Severity Points & How Are They Assessed?
CSA severity points are assigned based on the nature of a violation.
For example, speeding or equipment violations carry varying point levels. These points are multiplied by “time-weights,” which increase their impact depending on when the infraction occurred.
Violations within the past six months are multiplied by three and those within six months to a year are doubled, and these points are added into a complicated formula using the number of fleet vehicles, miles driven, and other factors to determine the percentile.
Therefore, the trucking firm with a driver who gets convicted on a ticket bearing ten CSA severity points will have 30 points added to their SMS record to determine their percentile.
How a Traffic Attorney Can Help You Avoid CSA Severity Points
CSA severity points significantly impact commercial drivers' careers and safety records.
These points, issued for violations under the DOT FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, can lead to further consequences and complications.
Drivers on I-80 in Truckee, CA, transporting cargo or passengers must stop at CHP-controlled roadside inspection points when open and need to understand how to prevent penalties.
How a Traffic Attorney Can Help
An experienced traffic attorney understands the complexities of CSA severity points and time-weight multipliers.
They can review evidence, such as inspection reports or officer testimony, to build a strong defense. Attorneys may identify procedural errors or negotiate to have violations downgraded, reducing or eliminating their impact on your CSA score.
Many fleet managers have a zero-tolerance for commercial drivers with too many moving violations, as it raises their fleet insurance premium.
Many manage their premiums by terminating those with too many CSA severity points. This clears those points from their percentile.
Why You Should Hire a Traffic Attorney to Avoid CSA Severity Points and Time-Weight Multipliers
Some commercial drivers worry that using a traffic attorney might cost more than the price of the ticket.
Whereas that’s possible, Bigger & Harman’s Nevada County CDL traffic attorneys offer a free initial consultation, even by phone or email, for your convenience, and a reduced no-point conviction or dismissal could preserve your driving career.
Plus, they can represent you in court to dispute your traffic ticket without your presence. That means you can keep those wheels rolling and keep earning while they dispute your ticket.
Hiring a traffic attorney can protect your livelihood and driving record.
They develop strategic defenses tailored to your case. Attorneys can negotiate with judges to lower fines and penalties or achieve outright dismissals.
With experienced and knowledgeable representation, you can avoid the compounding effects of CSA severity points and time-weights.
For commercial drivers on I-80 in the Donner Pass, this means staying compliant and safeguarding your commercial driving career.
Contact a traffic attorney today to keep your record clean and your livelihood secure.
Contact Bigger & Harman & Possibly Avoid CSA Severity Points
If you have a traffic ticket that needs to be resolved in Truckee Courthouse to avoid CSA severity points, call Bigger & Harman, APC, at (661) 349-9300—Se habla Español (661) 349-9755.
Use our contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
Download our e-book, Protecting Your Commercial Driver License.
References:
The My Safety Manager’s article, Trucking Safety & Compliance Management.
Section 11, Vehicle Inspection Test of the CA DMV Commercial Drivers Handbook.
The CVSA North American Standard Vehicle Inspection Cheat Sheet.
The DOT FMCSA 49 CFR Part 383.51, Paragraph 6.2.5, Disqualification of Drivers.