Safestat Data Are Inaccurate, DOT Investigation Reveals

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he online database the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration uses to target fleets for safety reviews has major accuracy problems and should be used only for internal purposes until fixed, according to the Department of Transportation’s inspector general.

“The types and magnitude of data problems . . . argue for immediate and effective action,” the report on FMCSA’s Safestat program said. The report was released Feb. 18.

It fell short of recommending the Safestat Web site be shut down, but did call for immediate corrections and suggested a warning be posted about the inaccuracy of the data. As of Feb. 18, the Web site cautioned visitors against using the data for anything other than “identifying and prioritizing carriers for FMCSA and state safety improvement and enforcement programs.”

The report said the data were incomplete, out of date and sometimes misleading if made available for public use. It said the data were, however, adequate for use within the agency.

For the full story, see the Feb. 23 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.