FMCSA’s Expanded PRISM Extends Road Safety Focus to Lower-Weighted CMVs

There has been an increase of lower-weighted commercial motor vehicles (CMV) like delivery vehicles and service trucks on the road. The implementation of FMCSA’s Expanded PRISM ensures that road safety is extended to such lower-weighted CMVs. These vehicles, which weigh between 10,001–26,000 pounds, account for approximately 25 percent of CMV crashes and 20 percent of federal Out-of-Service (OOS) orders.

The Full and Enhanced levels of PRISM only cover larger interstate International Registration Plan (IRP) CMVs weighing 26,001 pounds and above but not lower-weighted CMVs. To address this gap, states are encouraged to level up to Expanded PRISM, which allows for the identification and immobilization of all non-IRP interstate CMVs 10,001–26,000 pounds with significant safety deficiencies and subject to federal OOS orders.

In 2021, Washington became the inaugural state to implement Expanded PRISM. Since leveling up, they screened more than 80,000 lower-weighted vehicles between 2021 and 2022, expanding the safety net for CMVs in the state.

How States Can Level Up to Expanded PRISM

• States must have appropriate legislation or administrative authority to implement the Full PRISM Participation requirements #1–6 to interstate lower-weighted CMVs.
• Before a state can be reviewed and certified for Expanded PRISM, it must ensure and maintain compliance with both Full and Enhanced PRISM level requirements. It is also possible for states to progress in both levels simultaneously from Full to Expanded PRISM.
• State IT systems must have the ability to identify, classify and isolate lower-weighted vehicles and transmit that data to FMCSA systems. The PRISM team can assist in developing a customized plan for each State.

FMCSA encourages all states to level up to Expanded PRISM to help increase safety on our nation’s roadways.

For more information on PRISM, please visit the PRISM website.