Federal regulators should change how they record accidents involving trucks so that they don’t unfairly target drivers and carriers, according to comments submitted in response to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s plans to alter and expand categories of crash types available to the industry for reporting accidents.

Since May 2020, FMCSA has accepted Requests for Data Review (RDRs) in its DataQs system to evaluate accident preventability by truck drivers in 16 crash types. By modifying them and adding four more categories, FMCSA wants to better identify nonpreventable accidents used in its Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP).

Most of those commenting on the changes support them, based on submissions filed two months after FMCSA issued a notice in April. But some, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, say FMCSA should be taking stronger steps to protect truckers’ safety records.