CSA compliance, from the data
Notes from a working safety manager — grounded in VioCodes’ own violation and inspection data, with the FMCSA citations to back it up. How these posts are made →
When Your Fire Extinguisher Fails the Inspector: Understanding 393.95(a)
The fire extinguisher is one of the few emergency tools a driver controls. So why do inspectors cite this violation 374,029 times? Here's what the regulation requires and what actually gets missed in the field.
Montana's Roadside Reality: Why 22.7% Out-of-Service Matters
Montana's out-of-service rate runs 5 points above the national average. Here's what that means for operations moving through the state.
Maine Roadside Inspections: What 43,000 Inspections Reveal
Maine's OOS rate runs 7.8 percentage points higher than the national average. Here's what that gap means for the carriers working there—and what the data says about where violations cluster.
396.17C-PI: The Documentation Gap That Gets Written 379,000 Times a Year
Most drivers think they passed their pre-trip inspection. But FMCSA inspectors don't care what you think—they care what you wrote down. Here's why periodic inspection documentation is the easiest violation to avoid and the hardest to defend.
Same Violation Twice on One Inspection? It Only Counts Once
When the same violation code appears multiple times on an inspection report, SMS counts it only once. Here's why that matters and how it affects your score.
New Mexico Roadside Inspections: What 266,000 Inspections Reveal
New Mexico roadside inspectors are taking vehicles out of service at a 25.7% rate—nearly 8 percentage points above the national average. Here's what the data reveals about enforcement, compliance gaps, and what you need to know if you're operating there.
What Kentucky's Inspection Data Reveals About Roadside Safety
Kentucky's 24.6% out-of-service rate far exceeds the national average. Here's what three years of inspection data tells us about enforcement focus—and what your fleet needs to know.
Proof of Periodic Inspection: Why 396.17(c) Gets Written So Often
Nearly 586,000 violations and counting. Most aren't about broken equipment—they're about missing paperwork in the cab. Here's what 396.17(c) actually requires, and how to stop getting cited for it.
How the 30-Point Cap Actually Works—And Why FMCSA Built It In
FMCSA caps severity points at 30 per inspection per BASIC for a reason. Here's the mechanic and why it matters to your SMS profile.
Maryland Roadside Inspections: The 25.8% Out-of-Service Rate and What It Tells You
Between August 2023 and August 2026, Maryland's roadside inspection data shows a 25.8% OOS rate—8.2 points higher than the national average. Here's what 231,000 inspections reveal about enforcement pressure and where your fleet's real compliance risk lies.
Wyoming Roadside Inspections: What 38,000 Violations Tell You
Wyoming's roadside inspection data from Aug 2023–Aug 2026 shows an OOS rate of 26.5%—50% higher than the national average. Here's what that means for your operation.
The Brake Adjustment Problem: Why 393.47(e) Violations Keep Adding Up
Brake out of adjustment violations have been cited nearly 600,000 times. Here's what inspectors are actually looking for, why your SMS score takes the hit, and how to fix it operationally.
Your Violation from Last Year Isn't Gone Yet—Here's Why
A violation doesn't drop off your CSA score the day you pay it. It decays over two years using a 3/2/1 weighting system. Here's exactly what that means for your score.
Oregon's Out-of-Service Problem: What 60,000 Inspections Reveal
Between August 2023 and August 2026, Oregon pulled 25,621 vehicles out of service—a 28.6% OOS rate well above the national 17.6%. Here's what that gap actually tells you about enforcement priorities and where your compliance risk lives.
The Real Violation Picture: What FMCSA Data Shows About Your Roadside Enforcement Risk
1.1 million lamp citations versus 267,000 brake violations—but which actually shuts you down? Here's what the numbers reveal about enforcement volume, severity, and where to spend your safety dollar.
When a Lamp Failure Becomes a Bigger Problem: Understanding 393.9 Violations
Violation 393.9 is cited over 1.1 million times but rarely triggers out-of-service status by itself. Here's what the gap between citations and enforcement actually means for your fleet's maintenance discipline.
Understanding the +2 Out-of-Service Bonus: What It Actually Costs Your SMS Score
When you get an out-of-service violation, the FMCSA adds 2 points to severity before time-weighting applies. Here's exactly how that changes your BASIC score—and which three BASICs never get that penalty.
Delaware's Roadside Inspections: Higher Enforcement, Higher Out-of-Service Rates
Delaware's 30% out-of-service rate nearly doubles the national average. Here's what the enforcement data shows and what fleets need to know.
What North Carolina's Roadside Inspection Data Reveals About Enforcement Priorities
North Carolina's out-of-service rate nearly doubles the national average. Here's what the three-year inspection data shows about what inspectors are finding—and what it means for your compliance program.
TN Roadside Inspections: What the Numbers Say
Tennessee's out-of-service rate is more than double the national average. Here's what's driving those violations and why it matters for your fleet.