InstituteFleet SafetyIn Depth Sub Topics (Level 4)Compliance, Safety, Accountability CSACompliance, Safety, Accountability CSAFocus AreaEnglishAnalysisTransportationUSA
Controlled Substances and Alcohol BASIC
['Compliance, Safety, Accountability CSA']
- Drug and/or alcohol impairment dramatically increases the risk of a crash.
An impaired driver is an unsafe driver. Because drug and/or alcohol impairment dramatically increases the risk of a crash, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) assigns great weight to violations related to drug or alcohol use or possession.
The FMCSA defines a drug/alcohol Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) violation as the operation of commercial motor vehicles by drivers cited in roadside inspections for impairment due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and/or misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications. The violations include:
- Violating an out-of-service order relating to alcohol use under 392.5(a) or (b);
- Using or being in possession of drugs; and
- Possessing, using, or being under the influence of alcohol while on duty or driving.
Performance on the drugs and alcohol BASIC is measured using violations of certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations recorded on roadside inspection reports.