SAFETY * USA - Trucking companies and drivers looking out for terrorism

Charlotte,NC,USA -WCNC/NewsChannel 36, by GREG ARGOS -April 8, 2011: -- Bob Fisher considers himself a road warrior. He's been in the trucking industry for 40 years and says he's seen security become the number one priority for truckers... That's because truckers could be easy targets for terrorists, since many carry hazardous materials long distances through large cities... This week, truckers from across the state and country brushed up on how best to do that. Speakers from the FBI, Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration met for a conference in Concord. The goal is to remind trucking companies to be vigilant about the people they hire, perform background checks, and monitor all dangerous loads...


* Trucking execs asked to be terror-aware. Experts at gathering cite area vulnerability to 'lone wolf' attacks.
Charlotte,NC,USA -The Charlotte Observer, by Franco Ordoñez -Apr. 07, 2011: -- A tractor-trailer filled with hazardous materials could be terrorists' next weapon of mass destruction, according to a panel of terrorism experts gathered in Concord Wednesday. And the group encouraged trucking executives to play the front line of defense in guarding against such an attack... More than 100 trucking executives attended the one-day security conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway that focused on improving ties between the government and industry leaders... The panel included experts from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration. Some speakers referred to truck drivers as "American road warriors" and "road patriots." They urged the executives to conduct extensive background checks on their drivers and look for unusual changes in their lifestyles, and to be aware of materials being transported to or from odd locations... One panelists pointed out how lethal a truck bomb can be, citing the 1993 attack when terrorists drove a rental van carrying a 1,500-pound bomb into the underground parking garage at the World Trade Center. The bombing killed six people and was intended to topple the buildings... Nichols said Charlotte is popular with crime syndicates because of its central location and proximity to major highways connecting other major cities such as Atlanta and Washington, D.C...

SAFETY * Canada - Alberta truckers safe drivers: official

While U.S. figures revealed that thousands of Canadian trucking firms have violated regulations south of the border, Alberta officials say the industry's safety record is good

Edmonton,ALB,CAN -CBC News -Feb 23, 2011: -- A CBC News investigation has revealed that thousands of Canadian trucking companies have been violating U.S. road safety rules by not keeping proper records and driving longer than is allowed...   Data from the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showed that thousands of Canadian carriers violated key parts of the hours of service and logbook rules in 2009 and 2010. Alberta-based companies accounted for 78 of those violations... Those numbers are evidence of a systemic problem within the Canadian trucking industry, said Winnipeg-based trucker Michael Arpin. Drivers are often pressured to be on the road for 26 hours straight — leaving them fatigued and accident prone, he said... But according to Alberta officials, the vast majority of trucking companies operating in this province have good safety records, and collisions involving a tractor-trailer unit are relatively rare... Of the more than 24,000 trucking companies registered in Alberta, 142 had unsatisfactory provincial safety ratings last year, based on such things as mechanical inspections and proper log book entries, Trent Bancarz, a spokesman for Alberta Transportation, said. Ninety of those firms resolved the problems to the province's satisfaction. But 52 companies had their safety fitness certificates revoked, meaning they could no longer operate in Alberta... (Photo from farm3.static.flickr: Coutts, Alberta, Canada, border with USA)

SAFETY * USA - Feds May Order All Light Duty Vehicles to Have Backup Cameras by 2014

Congress required auto safety upgrades in 2008, in response to dozens of cases of children getting backed over by cars

Washington,DC,USA -The Detroit News -December 3, 2010: -- Law named for Cameron Gulbransen, 2-year-old NY boy killed when father backed over him. Nearly 300 people killed and 18K injured each year because of backovers. Nearly 1/2 the deaths involve children under age 5; crashes also affect the elderly. Family member responsible for the death in about 70% of cases... Transportation Department proposing new requirements to improve rear visibility by 2014 model year... Automakers have been adding video cameras and object detection sensors to vehicles. Backup cameras optional on most vehicles; about 20% of 2010 vehicles w/ cameras onboard... Government proposal expected to be completed next year after public comment period. Under plan, 10% of vehicles must meet standards by 2012 model year, 40% in 2013, all vehicles by 2014...   Rules apply to all passenger cars, SUVs, Pickups, minivans, other vehicles up to 10K lbs... (Photo: Backover child)