The FMCSA has put out a great resource on determining eligibility, See that here
SUBMISSION
Submitting a crash will be done through the DataQ's website (https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/) by the Motor Carrier. A private individual is able to submit documentation for review, but this must be done to the email crash.preventability@dot.gov. The FMCS has decided that due to lack of public interest and input from Greyhound Lines during the demonstration period, that they won't be posting a listing of accidents for public viewing. To submit a collision for review, there must be documentation uploaded; the burden of proof is on the submitter of information. Below are the items required and recommended for the submission of an Request for Data Review (RDR).
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
- POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT (REQUIRED) - During the trial period, the FMCSA reviewed over 15,000 Police Accident Reports; it is realized that officer who review these accidents are the most qualified to make determinations and record accurate statements. Due to that fact, all RDR's must be accompanied by a police report to be eligible.
- DRUG & ALCOHOL TEST RESULTS (REQUIRED IF FATAL) - A Drug and Alcohol test result is required from the motor carrier for an accident that results in a fatality. To use the "Under the Influence" crash type, their must be a document that proves this regarding the other driver, that could be the police report, a field sobriety test, or even documentation of a refusal to test.
- SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - The DATAQ system will allow any supporting documents, video, pictures, and court documents. THE MORE INFORMATION THE BETTER!
DETERMINATIONS, RESULTS, AND THE ISSUE OF FAULT
After being reviewed, accidents will be determined to have one of three categories: Reviewed - Preventable, Reviewed-Not Preventable, and Reviewed-Undetermined. The Preventability Standard - “The standard for making a preventability determination is provided in 49 CFR part 385, Appendix B, section II.B(e): “If a driver who exercises normal judgment and foresight could have foreseen the possibility of the accident that in fact occurred, and avoided it by taking steps within his/her control which would not have risked causing another kind of mishap, the accident was preventable.” Let's look at what the different determinations are and also the results they bring.
Reviewed - Preventable - A determination of Preventable means that due to the evidence presented the FMCSA believes the driver could have avoided the crash. The released wording on this is, "If a driver, who exercises normal judgment and foresight, could have foreseen the possibility of the accident that in fact occurred, and avoided it by taking steps within his/her control." (RESOURCE HERE) A Preventable collision will still affect the motor carrier's BASIC score and the PSP report won't be adjusted. This determination will automatically be applied in the following circumstances:
- A Positive Alcohol or Drug Post Accident Test or refusal to test
- No documents submitted (As the burden to prove preventability is on the motor carrier)
- Operating on an Out of Service order, this applies to the vehicle, load and/or driver. This also includes if a post-crash inspection report shows there was a pre-existing condition that should've caused an OOS order.
Reviewed - Undetermined - After review of all submitted data, the reviewers were unable to come to a clear conclusion of either preventable or not-preventable. BASIC score is unaffected.
Reviewed - Not Preventable - A determination of Reviewed-Not Preventable will be the only determination that works in favor of the motor carrier, lowering the Crash Indicator on their BASIC score. Also for a Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) report pulled, this determination will be clarified for the driver.
THE ISSUE OF FAULT
During the demonstration period, there was concern that any determination from the federal government could be used in a civil lawsuit as evidence of fault. Negligence is a serious word in the trucking industry with life-altering consequences almost every time. What would a determination of "Reviewed - Preventable" do in a court of law? Are the reviewers and submitters qualified to affect the outcome of complex legal matters? As it pertains to the Crash Preventability Determination Program those questions won't have to be answered. Two quotes below:
“FMCSA emphasizes that these determinations do not establish legal liability, fault, or negligence by any party.” (SOURCE)
“Under 49 U.S.C. 504(f) FMCSA’s preventability determinations may not be admitted into evidence or used in a civil action for damages and are not reliable for that purpose.” (SOURCE)
WHO TO THANK
This program wouldn't have come about unless both individuals and organizations outside of the government decided to speak up and recommend changes and ideas. There is power in democracy and power in your voice, don't waste that. Below are some key organizations that used their voice to help the trucking industry:
ATA - American Trucking Association
Greyhound Lines Inc.
International Food Service Distributors Association
National School Transportation Association
MCRRC - Motor Carrier Regulatory Reform Coalition
NASTC - National Association of Small Trucking Companies
OOIDA - Owner Operator Independent Drivers Associations
Truckload Carriers Association
HELPFUL LINKS
CPDP Presentation PDF
Federal Register, Notice of Permanent Program - 5/6/2020
CPDP Frequently Asked Questions
For an accident to be eligible it had to fit a specific crash type with simple enough data to easily determine if it was preventable. More on this below
For an accident to be eligible it had to fit a specific crash type with simple enough data to easily determine if it was preventable. More on this below
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