Moving Words – Security
Timothy Brady
“At the end of the day, the goals are simple: safety and security.” – Jodi Rel
What’s the risk to movers that they, or one of their truckers, will become a victim of terrorism?
According to the “Commercial Truck Bus Safety Synthesis Program Security Measures in Trucking” report from the FMCSA, a terrorist wouldn’t acquire trucks and materials by hijacking or stealing a truck. Terrorists need time to plan, acquire materials and execute. If they commit a crime while planning or gathering materials, law enforcement immediately works to solve that crime–which places the terrorist on a shorter timetable to execute the act before law enforcement discovers his plot. Terrorists can legally obtain trucks below law enforcement’s gaze, utilizing truck rental agencies, leasing or purchasing new or used trucks. Explosive materials like diesel, gasoline, fertilizers and chemicals used to create poisonous, caustic and, again, explosive substances can be easily and legally obtained.
But another threat that concerns trucking, not only in regards to terrorists but also the larger threat of criminals who rob and murder truckers, is the lack of available 10-hour truck parking nationwide. Any time a trucker parks in an abandoned parking lot, or on a rural interstate on-ramp for his federally-mandated rest break, he or she is vulnerable to becoming a crime statistic.
What should the FMCSA, the DOT and Homeland Security be doing to increase the safety and security of truckers and, accordingly, the nation?
- Work diligently on fixing the nationwide truck-parking problem by providing safe, secure parking for truckers to take their mandatory rest breaks.
- Inspect every shipping container entering the U.S. by ship, train, plane or truck to ensure it doesn’t contain anything shipped by a terrorist.
- Require all rental truck vehicles be equipped with EOBRs and GPS tracking and a mandatory background check of anyone renting one.
What should truckers be doing for their own security?
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Be selective as to where you park.
- Walk in wide-open spaces, not between trailers or buildings. Stay out of dark parking lots and alleys.
- Never discuss what you’re hauling with anybody except dispatch, the shipper, receiver or law enforcement.
What should movers be doing for security?
- Work with your drivers so they find safe places to park each night.
- Be sure the only people who know what your trucks are hauling actually have a need to know.
- Constantly think ‘safety and security’ in every step of your operation.
- Always know where your trucks and drivers are located and have a check-in system so you’re alerted immediately when there’s a problem.
Common sense is the best personal safety tool for all of us in the trucking industry. Know what’s going on around you at all times. Never let your guard down. And trust both your gut and the hair on the back of your neck.
“Man maintains his balance, poise, and sense of security only as he is moving forward.” Maxwell Maltz
