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J. J. Keller protects people and the businesses they run. You can trust our expertise across a wide range of subjects relating to labor, transportation, environmental, and worker safety. Our deep knowledge of federal and state agencies is built on a strong foundation of more than 100 editors and consultants and 70+ years of regulatory compliance experience.

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J. J. Keller protects people and the businesses they run. You can trust our expertise across a wide range of subjects relating to labor, transportation, environmental, and worker safety. Our deep knowledge of federal and state agencies is built on a strong foundation of more than 100 editors and consultants and 70+ years of regulatory compliance experience.

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CSA - Sample 5 Why's for Seat Belt Violations

Violation

A roadside inspection report for a motor carrier showed the following violation: §392.16 - Failing to use seat belt while operating a CMV. The motor carrier will want to find out the root cause of this Unsafe Driving BASIC violation.

Question 1: Why did this event take place?

Answer: The driver does not use his seat belt routinely and was caught this time.

Question 2: Why does he not use the seat belt?

Answer: Because he fears being killed or maimed during a rollover if he remains in the vehicle.

Question 3: Why do drivers fear being killed or maimed during a rollover if wearing a seat belt?

Answer: During rollover crashes, drivers often drown, get crushed, or get burned.

Question 4: Why does the driver believe this?

Answer: Another driver told him it is better to be ejected than remain in the vehicle.

Question 5: Why does your driver and others believe this?

Answer: It is a current myth making its way through the driver rumor mills.

Possible Solutions

What might be some solution(s) based on the safety management cycle and the root cause(s)?

  • Draft a policy indicating the consequences if the driver does not wear his or her seat belt while operating your CMV. Be consistent in enforcement.
  • Train on the importance of wearing seat belts during new hire orientation, safety meetings, and refresher training.
  • Have an open door policy with supervisors if drivers have questions about safety issues or whether specific myths have any truth or merit.
  • Dispel myths during training and other communication such as posters, paycheck stuffers, and the like.
  • Review applicants’ roadside inspection histories in the Unsafe Driving BASIC while working for other USDOT numbers. Use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) driver reports. Develop hiring standards in your company policies based on these reports.
  • Review the drivers’ Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) when screening applicants, looking for seat belt violations in any kind of vehicles.
  • Review for this violation during annual reviews of driving records in accordance with §391.25. Have a hiring policy and retention policy based on what is discovered.
  • Assign the role of monitoring roadside inspection and crash reports for violations such as seat belt usage. Look for trends for specific drivers, terminals, or the company as a whole.
  • Based on monitoring and tracking, enforce policies and procedures, institute refresher training, monitor specific training efforts for effectiveness and so forth.