CHARLES SOUND LLC
Risk factors
Low riskVioCodes scoreA weighted read of the public FMCSA signals below — authority, insurance, out-of-service, crashes, roadside OOS rates, and carrier connections. A starting point for vetting, not a guarantee.
Roadside inspection performance
Out-of-service rate vs national average. Lower is better.
CSA performance breakdown
FMCSA · Sep 202663 inspections · 70 violations (12 OOS) · 27% of inspections had an OOS finding.
Violations by BASIC
click to filter codes
Top cited codes
score = count × severity weight
- 1393.11A1-LCHLVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - Lamps improper color, height, location.
18
3× · sev 6
- 2396.5B-LVehicle Maintenance
Lubrication - Oil or grease leak
6
2× · sev 3
- 3392.2-SLLSR
State/Local Laws - State registration/tag violation
4
4×
- 4393.9A-LILVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - Identification lamp(s) inoperative
4
2× · sev 2
- 5396.9D2-FTFVehicle Maintenance
Failing to correct the violation(s)/defect(s) noted on the roadside inspection report
4
1× · sev 4
- 6393.60EVehicle Maintenance
Windshield - Obstructed
3
3× · sev 1
- 7390.19B2-BIENNIAL
Motor Carrier failed to file biennial FMCSA registration update as required
3
3×
- 8393.47E
Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
2
2×
- 9393.9A-LLPLVehicle Maintenance
Lighting - License plate lamp inoperative
2
1× · sev 2
- 10392.2-SLL
State/Local Laws -
1
1×
Most inspected in · top 7 states
- CT10
- MA8
- VT3
- NY3
- PA3
- ME2
- NJ1
Latest FMCSA SMS snapshot. Codes link to the lookup — severity weighting, contest angles, and the DataQs Drafter for each. Click a BASIC to filter the codes.
Safety trends & next-run projection
Where each BASIC sits today, how it ranks against peers, and where it’s heading at the next monthly SMS run.
FMCSA keeps the Crash Indicator percentile private, and its measure needs a power-unit history public data doesn’t expose — so it can’t be estimated yet. VioCodes now records power units monthly, so a calibrated Crash estimate should light up over time. These are the public crash facts (all state-reportable crashes count, regardless of fault).
“Projected” estimates the next monthly SMS run from inspections on record now. FMCSA marks the BASIC percentile itself “Not Public,” so the percentile shown is a VioCodes estimate of how the carrier ranks against its peers, presented as a likely range (shaded on the gauge) and calibrated against real carriers. Crash Indicator has no public estimate — FMCSA keeps its measures fully private. Estimates, not official FMCSA figures. Not affiliated with FMCSA.
Recommendations
What’s driving each score, what to do about it, and where it could go.
Following / lane / reckless violations are the leading contributor to Unsafe Driving
High impactEstimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 69% is at/over the 65% intervention line. Carriers with a BASIC in alert are prioritized for enforcement (warning letters, audits) and inspected more often — which tends to generate still more violations.
- 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation5× · 32%
- 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other2× · 20%
- 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit2× · 11%
- 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit1× · 3%
- 392.2-INATDriver- Inattentive or Distracted Driving1× · 8%
- 392.2-SLLUPState/Local Laws - Unlawfully parking /leaving vehicle on roadway1× · 2%
- Defensive-driving refresher on following distance and lane discipline
Vehicle and driver out-of-service rate exceeds the national average
High impactVehicle OOS rate is 27.3% vs the 22% national average. Driver OOS rate is 10.6% vs the 6.7% national average. Carriers above the national OOS average draw more enforcement attention (audits, roadside stops) and can see higher insurance premiums.
- Review recent inspections with out-of-service violations and fix the root causes with equipment and drivers
- Run a preventative-maintenance program; periodically inspect tires, brakes and lights
- Reinforce thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections; retrain where needed
A high share of violations are occurring in Fairfield County, CT
Medium impact29 of 83 violations in the last 12 months (35%) came from inspections in Fairfield County, CT. That can mean tougher enforcement there or simply more of your miles run through it — either way it's worth a look.
- Review the inspections from Fairfield County, CT to spot recurring issues
- Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical
False log / RODS violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance
Low impactEstimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 46% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 395.8E-HOSPDHOS (Property) - No driver may make a false report in connection with a duty status. Explain1× · 27%
- 395.8E-HOSPDOOSHOS (Property) - Driver produces a false record of duty status that concealed an HOS limitation violation after the last rest period. Explain:1× · 18%
- 395.8F01Drivers record of duty status not current1× · 10%
- 395.24D-ELDPTHOS (ELD) - On request by an authorized safety official, a driver must produce and transfer from an ELD the driver's hours of service records in accordance with t2× · 29%
- 395.24C2III-ELDSDNHOS (ELD) - Driver failing to manually input or verify shipping document number.1× · 4%
- 395.22H1-ELDNUMHOS (ELD) - In-Vehicle Information - No user's manual for the driver describing how to operate the ELD. (May be electronic)1× · 4%
- 395.5A1-HOSPVNPDriving after 10 hour driving limit. (Passenger carrying vehicle) - Nominal Violation1× · 4%
- Audit ELD edits and duty-status annotations weekly; a false log is a high-severity, high-visibility violation
- Retrain on correct logging and never letting a load pressure a driver into a false entry
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Driver qualification / CDL / medical violations are the leading contributor to Driver Fitness
Low impactEstimated Driver Fitness percentile of 70% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 391.15A-LNCDLNSRWOperating a non-CDL required commercial motor vehicle with driving privileges revoked, suspended, cancelled or otherwise disqualified. (391.15(a))3× · 65%
- 391.41APCMedical (Certificate) - Operating a property-carrying vehicle without a valid medical certificate in possession or on file with the state drivers licensing agency2× · 35%
- Run a credential-expiration tracker; keep DQ files complete and the medical card on the driver
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Drugs / alcohol violations are the leading contributor to Controlled Substances/Alcohol
Low impactEstimated Controlled Substances/Alcohol percentile of 40% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 392.4A-DOSUDrugs/Other Substances - Operate a CMV while under the influence or evidence of use within the past 24 hours.1× · 50%
- 392.4A-DOSPDrugs/Other Substances - Operate a CMV while in possession.1× · 50%
- Reinforce the testing program and zero-tolerance policy
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Lighting / lamps violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance
Low impactEstimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 73% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.
- 393.11A1-LCHLLighting - Lamps improper color, height, location.3× · 12%
- 393.9A-LILLighting - Identification lamp(s) inoperative8× · 6%
- 393.9A-LLPLLighting - License plate lamp inoperative4× · 4%
- 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS1× · 6%
- 393.75B-TFTires - Front, less than 2/32 inch tread depth1× · 6%
- 393.75C-TAOTD-LT1/32Tires - Less than 1/32 inch tread depth at 3 locations/2 adjacent tread grooves1× · 6%
- 396.9D2-FTFFailing to correct the violation(s)/defect(s) noted on the roadside inspection report3× · 7%
- 396.5B-LLubrication - Oil or grease leak3× · 5%
- 393.30-BBattery - Not protected1× · 1%
- 393.53B-BAir Brake - CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994 has an automatic airbrake adjustment system that fails to compensate for wear2× · 4%
- 393.45D-BAALAir Brake - Audible air leak at other than a proper connection1× · 4%
- 396.3A1-BALRAir Brake - Fails air loss rate test1× · 4%
- Walk the lights every pre-trip and carry spare bulbs/fuses; clean lenses and check the trailer plug
- Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Recommendations are generated from the carrier’s public FMCSA roadside-inspection record. Percentiles and projections are VioCodes estimates, not official FMCSA figures. Informational, not legal advice.
90-day safety improvement plan
What this carrier has struggled with most in the last 90 days — where to focus now.
- 393.11A1-LCHL×3Lighting - Lamps improper color, height, location.
- 393.60E×3Windshield - Obstructed
- 396.5B-L×2Lubrication - Oil or grease leak
- Walk the lights every pre-trip and carry spare bulbs/fuses
- Clean lenses and check the trailer plug for corrosion
- 392.2-SLLSR×4State/Local Laws - State registration/tag violation
- 390.19B2-BIENNIAL×3Motor Carrier failed to file biennial FMCSA registration update as required
- 393.47E×2Brake Out of Adjustment - Roto, Clamp (Short & Long), DD-3, or Bolt
- Review these violations with drivers and add the fix to your pre-trip and PM routine
- 392.16-DDriver - Failed to use seat belt while operating a CMV
- 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other
- 392.2-SLLUPState/Local Laws - Unlawfully parking /leaving vehicle on roadway
- Coach speed and following distance — Unsafe Driving points are weighted heavily
- Hands off the phone; always belt up
Based on roadside inspections in the last 90 days, ranked by what recurs most. Informational, not legal advice.
Inspection & crash map
live · FMCSA MCMISEvery inspection and crash on record — hover a point for the summary, click for full detail (codes, severity, CSA points).
CSA points = violation severity weight × FMCSA time weight (3× in the last 6 months, 2× at 6–12, 1× at 12–24). Points are spread within each state — FMCSA records the inspection state, not an exact location. Source: FMCSA MCMIS.
Equipment
VINs via NHTSA14 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.
Equipment is inferred from VINs recorded on roadside inspections (FMCSA MCMIS), decoded via the NHTSA vPIC API — it reflects vehicles inspected, not a current fleet roster.
Company profile
FMCSA censusAUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
- Interstate · <100 mi15 drivers
- Company officer
- CHARLES ACHEAMPONG
- Operation
- Interstate
- Registered since
- 2015-10-05
- Last MCS-150 update
- 2024-05-28
- Census status
- Active
Fleet: 13 trucks.
Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov). Fleet and driver counts are self-reported on the carrier’s most recent MCS-150 filing.
Connections
carrier graphThis carrier shares VINs with 5 other carriers — review the connections below as part of your vetting.
Shared VINs come from FMCSA roadside-inspection records — a vehicle inspected under more than one carrier, often a fleet transfer or trailer interchange. Other links come from the FMCSA census. Shared identifiers are common and often legitimate — treat these as leads to investigate, not proof of wrongdoing.
Activity history
18 events- 05/13/2026MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — REINSTATED
- 04/20/2026Insurance filed — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY
Liability (BIPD) — BMC-91X · policy HST-000656
- 04/10/2026Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy HST-000656
- 06/18/2024MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — REINSTATED
REVOKED (04/20/2026)
- 05/31/2024Insurance cancelled — HUDSON INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy HST-000656
- 05/28/2024MCS-150 update filed
0.7M mi reported (2023)
- 05/01/2024Out-of-service order rescinded
- 04/29/2024Federal out-of-service order
90 day failure to pay fine
- 02/09/2024Insurance cancelled — CENTURY SURETY COMPANY
CARGO · policy CCP1113882
- 02/08/2024Insurance cancelled — UNITED FINANCIAL CASUALTY COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy CA01098387
- 02/08/2023Insurance replaced — NATIONWIDE GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy ACP BA01 3200291355
- 02/08/2021MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — REINSTATED
REVOKED (02/14/2024)
- 02/08/2021Insurance replaced — NATIONAL INDEMNITY COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy 70TRB003927
- 10/29/2020Insurance cancelled — OHIO SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy BAS 56567078
- 07/02/2020Insurance cancelled — OHIO SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy BAS 56567078
- 05/04/2020Insurance replaced — OHIO SECURITY INSURANCE COMPANY
BIPD/Primary · policy BAS 56567078
- 11/13/2015MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER — GRANTED
REVOKED (11/04/2020)
- 10/05/2015Registered with FMCSA
AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
Merged from FMCSA authority, insurance, out-of-service, and census records.
Operations
Classification
- AUTHORIZED FOR HIRE
Area served
- Interstate
FMCSA safety rating
- Rating
- Satisfactory
- Type
- Non-ratable review
- Rated
- 2024-04-02
- Last review
- 2025-11-12
MCS-150 registration
- Form date
- 2024-05-28
- Reported mileage
- 660,000 mi (2023)
Got a violation you want to contest?
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