The Coalition for PSP Modernization Praises Graves & Davids’ Introduction of the Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act

Act to Strengthen Roadway Safety and Improve Driver Retention

A broad coalition of stakeholders in the motor carrier industry applaud the efforts of U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA-6) and Sharice Davids (D-KS-3) to introduce new legislation (H.R. 3356) that expands voluntary access to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) to allow the review of these important driver safety records on an ongoing basis, rather than only when a motor carrier is in the hiring process.

In 2013, the FMCSA published the results of a study describing PSP’s impact on safety and commerce. The study found that motor carriers using PSP reduced their crash occurrences by 8 percent and reported a 17 percent drop in out-of-service events as compared to the motor carriers who do not incorporate PSP into their hiring process.

Last year, the American Transportation Research Institute released an update to its Predicting Truck Crash Involvement research, which highlights statistically significant relationships between driver safety behaviors and future crash probability. Providing carriers access to PSP records at any time will help them to proactively identify and effect positive behavioral changes with drivers.

Unfortunately, federal statute limits motor carrier access to PSP to the pre-hire review of a driver’s safety record. The Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act makes minor changes to existing statutory language to also allow voluntary access to PSP records for current employees. Doing so will enable motor carriers to conduct more frequent reviews of driver safety records while preserving privacy by offering the same protections provided by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, including specific driver consent and recourse for data inaccuracies. Carriers will also be able to build periodic PSP queries into their driver safety, coaching, and incentive programs – leading to stronger driver retention.

The Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act is supported by the Coalition for PSP Modernization, which includes the American Trucking Associations, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Driver Employer Council of America, National Safety Council, Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association, Truckload Carriers Association, and Women In Trucking.

“The Pre-employment Screening Program can be a valuable resource for motor carriers,” said Dan Horvath, Vice President, Safety Policy at the American Trucking Associations. “We appreciate the efforts of Congressman Graves and Congresswoman Davids continuing to advance truck and bus safety efforts and making our roads safer.”

“CVSA applauds Representatives Graves and Davids for leading the way on this critical safety issue by introducing the Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act,” said Collin Mooney, Executive Director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. “The data in the Pre-employment Screening Program provides motor carriers with valuable information related to a driver’s safety performance and driving history. Expanding access to that data will improve roadway safety by allowing motor carriers to remain up to date on their drivers’ safety performance.”

“SC&RA applauds this effort to reform the Pre-employment Screening Program that will empower carriers to review their current drivers’ records,” said Joel Dandrea, CEO of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association. “This important change promotes a stronger safety culture for all commercial motor carriers, and in turn safer roadways for all Americans.”

“Safety is a priority for this industry, and the ability to access a driver’s record throughout his or her employment allows our carriers to ensure they are retaining those who meet their standards beyond the hiring date,” said Ellen Voie, Founder of the Women In Trucking Association. “The Women In Trucking Association supports this initiative to keep safety information current and relevant.”

The text of the legislation can be found here.

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