Motor carriers and drivers can challenge the preventability of certain crashes through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP). Approved non-preventable DOT-recordable crashes can be removed from your CSA scoring, offering significant benefits.

How the Program Works:

FMCSA’s CPDP reviews 21 specific crash types and updates information in the Agency’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) to identify crashes as "Not Preventable." If you were involved in an eligible crash, you can submit a Request for Data Review (RDR) through the Agency’s DataQs system. This submission must include:

• The required police accident report
• Supporting documents, photos, or videos

Once the FMCSA determines a crash is "Not Preventable":

1. Crash Indicator BASIC Adjustment: The crash is removed from the calculation of the Crash Indicator Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) in the SMS.
2. Visibility of Determinations: Although removed from scoring, "Not Preventable" crashes will still be listed on the FMCSA website, with the determination noted.
3. Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) Updates: A note is added to the PSP indicating the crash was not preventable, improving employment prospects for drivers with these incidents in their history.

Benefits of a Non-Preventable Determination:

If a crash is deemed "Not Preventable," the FMCSA will:

• Improve Carrier Scores: Remove the crash from the carrier’s "Crash Indicator" score in the CSA system, reducing the likelihood of targeted enforcement actions.
• Enhance Driver Employability: Add a note in the PSP indicating the crash was "Not Preventable," reducing the risk that the driver will be overlooked for employment due to their crash history.