Safety Fitness Procedure; Safety Ratings

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In March and December 1993 the FHWA modified its Safety Fitness Rating Methodology (SFRM) used to rate a motor carrier's compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), applicable Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs), and to assess its operational safety. These modifications incorporated more performance- based information into the SFRM. Vehicle out-of-service (OOS) rates are now used as a first indicator to evaluate a motor carrier's compliance with the Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance regulations found in part 396 of the FMCSRs. A second modification gave more weight to violations of the safety regulations which are acute or critical. These modifications enable the SFRM to reflect more accurately the regulatory scheme set forth in 49 CFR part 385 to determine the safety rating of motor carriers. Beginning October 1, 1994, violations of the safety regulations which are acute or critical will be used to rate each of the five regulatory factors when performing a compliance review (CR). On the same date the FHWA will discontinue use of the safety review (SR). Experience has demonstrated that the CR is a more objective tool for measuring a motor carrier's c