The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently updated its DataQs program to improve turnaround times for truckers awaiting safety record corrections.
The DataQs system allows motor carriers, commercial motor vehicle drivers, and other stakeholders to request a review of federal and state data they believe is incomplete or incorrect. It is essential for maintaining accurate safety data. The system processed more than 71,000 requests, including at least 8,300 related to crash data, in 2024.
States now must meet strict deadlines and follow a three-step independent review process when responding to requests to fix data on crashes, inspections, and violations.
“Accurate data keeps our roads safe. America’s hardworking truck drivers deserve a system that treats them fairly,” FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said. “These updates guarantee due process by ensuring drivers who challenge an inspection or crash record receive an independent, unbiased, and completed review in a timely manner.”
The independent review structure must include an initial review to ensure decisions are not made solely by the issuing officer when denying a correction, a reconsideration phase conducted by independent subject matter experts not involved in the initial decision, and a final review completed by a senior decision-maker or independent panel, ensuring an unbiased final determination.