Graves Emphasizes Trucking’s Commitment to Security

September 11, 2003 3:22 PM, EDT

Two years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves said the trucking industry was spending hundreds of millions of dollars to heighten security to a level “that we've never seen before in our industry.”

Speaking on CNBC Thursday, Graves also said the trucking industry was upbeat about the U.S. economy, with truck tonnage running 3.6% ahead of last year’s pace. Suppliers to motor carriers were also expressing cautious optimism, Graves noted.

He also said that improvements in security since the attacks have taken several forms, including the expansion of ATA’s Highway Watch program. The program helps train truckers on how to spot and report suspicious activity on the nation’s roads.

“We hope with some assistance from the federal government, it will eventually become a nationwide program for motor carrier to keep an eye on the nation’s roads,” he said.

Graves said trucking was working with the government to come up with “common sense” regulations covering background checks and fingerprinting of truck drivers, especially those who haul hazardous materials.

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