Which factors can impact a carrier's safety score?

The correct answer focuses on the significant elements that directly affect a carrier's safety score. Violations, accidents, and driver performance are critical metrics used in evaluating a carrier's overall safety.

Violations refer to any breaches of safety regulations, such as failing to adhere to vehicle inspection standards or neglecting to follow hours-of-service rules. Each infraction can negatively impact a carrier’s safety rating. Accidents, particularly those that result in injury or property damage, are also major factors; they indicate how well a carrier manages risks associated with their operations. Driver performance ties in closely with these factors, reflecting individual driver behaviors such as speeding, adherence to traffic laws, and overall driving record.

Together, these elements are monitored by regulatory agencies to ensure that carriers maintain high safety standards, thereby affecting their safety score measured against national benchmarks. The other options, while they contain relevant elements of operating a business, do not directly relate to the safety metrics that influence a carrier's safety score.