EDITORS AND CORRESPONDENTS

A new national system of selecting motor carriers for on-site safety inspections, concentrating on a carrier's safety performance to identify and prioritize carriers that are "at risk," is being instituted this month by the Federal Highway Administration.

Called SafeStat (for Safety Status), the new system will focus on carriers posing the highest potential risk to highway safety, making it possible for the Office of Motor Carriers to better utilize its limited resources.

SafeStat will evaluate carrier performance in four areas -- accidents, driver violations, vehicle violations, and safety management record relative to the entire carrier population for which data are available. Unlike previous carrier selection methodologies, SafeStat recognizes that a carrier's recent accident history is the most significant indicator of safety performance.

This new approach will further FHWA's ongoing transition toward results-oriented regulations and safety programs. It was successfully tested recently in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Oregon.

Further information is available from Bryan Price of the Office of Motor Carriers, (202) 366-5720.

Sincerely yours,

George L. Reagle
Associate Administrator for Motor Carriers