FMCSA Accident Reporting and Recordkeeping 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a CMV accident results in a hazardous materials release, which federal entity must be notified?
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- The Department of Homeland Security Command Center
- The National Response Center (Correct answer)
- The FMCSA Regional Director
Correct answer: The National Response Center
Hazardous materials releases must be reported to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802), which coordinates federal emergency response.
Question 2: A CMV driver has a minor collision in which the other driver walks away with no complaints and both vehicles drive away under their own power. Is this a recordable accident?
- Yes, because police may file a report
- Yes, because any CMV collision must be recorded
- No, because it does not meet any of the three FMCSA recordability criteria (Correct answer)
- No, only if the driver has a clean safety record
Correct answer: No, because it does not meet any of the three FMCSA recordability criteria
If there are no fatalities, no injuries requiring off-scene medical treatment, and no vehicles that need towing, the incident is not recordable under 49 CFR 390.15.
Question 3: How long must motor carriers retain accident records under FMCSA regulations?
- 1 year from the accident date
- 2 years from the accident date
- 3 years from the accident date (Correct answer)
- 5 years from the accident date
Correct answer: 3 years from the accident date
Under 49 CFR 390.15(b)(2), accident registers must be preserved for three years after the date of each accident.
Question 4: Which of the following scenarios involves a CMV accident that IS recordable under FMCSA regulations?
- A CMV's cargo shifts during a sharp turn, causing no injuries
- A CMV driver files a self-report about a near-miss event
- A CMV strikes a utility pole and must be towed from the scene (Correct answer)
- A CMV receives a traffic citation for an improper lane change
Correct answer: A CMV strikes a utility pole and must be towed from the scene
When a CMV is involved in an accident that results in the vehicle requiring towing due to disabling damage, it qualifies as a recordable accident.
Question 5: Under FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (SMS), what crash data is used to evaluate motor carrier performance?
- Only accidents where the CMV driver was cited for a violation
- All CMV incidents regardless of whether they meet recordability criteria
- Crashes meeting FMCSA's recordable accident definition as reported to state agencies (Correct answer)
- Only accidents investigated by FMCSA enforcement personnel
Correct answer: Crashes meeting FMCSA's recordable accident definition as reported to state agencies
The SMS uses crash data reported to state agencies that meet FMCSA's recordable accident definition — fatality, injury requiring off-scene medical care, or disabling damage requiring towing.
Question 6: A motor carrier refuses to show its accident register during a compliance review. What is the likely consequence?
- The carrier's operating authority is automatically revoked
- The carrier can be cited for violations and subjected to civil penalties (Correct answer)
- Only a warning letter is issued for a first offense
- The investigation is closed and rescheduled for a later date
Correct answer: The carrier can be cited for violations and subjected to civil penalties
Failure to produce required records during a compliance review can result in regulatory violations and civil penalties under FMCSA enforcement authority.
Question 7: Which parties are authorized to inspect a motor carrier's accident register?
- Only state law enforcement officers
- The carrier's insurance company and legal representatives only
- Authorized federal, state, and local officials with jurisdiction over the carrier (Correct answer)
- Any member of the public who submits a FOIA request
Correct answer: Authorized federal, state, and local officials with jurisdiction over the carrier
Accident registers must be made available for inspection by authorized federal, state, and local officials, including FMCSA investigators and state enforcement officers.
FMCSA Accident Reporting and Recordkeeping 2
When a CMV accident results in a hazardous materials release, which federal entity must be notified?