FMCSA – New Crash Preventability Determination Program

Accidents and crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMV) are reported and counted against a carrier and driver’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) score. Since 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has had a pilot program that has reviewed over 5,600 crashes that involved a CMV or carriers to determine if they could have been prevented by the driver of these vehicles. After reviewing these cases, 94% were found to be unpreventable by the drivers or carriers.

From these results, FMCSA has created the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP). The CPDP allows carriers and drivers to submit evidence that an accident could not have been prevented. If FMCSA determines the crash was not preventable, it will be noted in the SMS records but not calculated in the driver or carrier’s score. It will also be documented on the driver’s Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report.

Motor carriers can submit a Request for Data Review (RDR) through FMCSA DataQs. The request must include a police accident report (PAR), meet one of the eligible types of crashes, and occurred on or after August 1, 2019. All accidents will be listed on the FMCSA website but will be notated with the results from the review.