Security & Safety Briefs - Feb. 2 - Feb. 8

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The Latest Headlines:

• Idaho Mulls Higher Truck Speed Limits
• Congress Extends Patriot Act for Five Weeks
• Ariz.’s National Guard Border Plan Scrutinized

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Idaho Mulls Higher Truck Speed Limits

An Idaho state lawmaker who owns a trucking company is seeking to change the state’s law so big rigs can legally go 75 mph on Idaho freeways, the Associated Press reported.

Cars are allowed to go that fast now, but trucks are limited to 65 mph.

Sen. Tim Corder (R) proposed the bill Thursday, saying the current limit is unrealistic for today's trucks with their high-powered engines.

He said that sometimes, driving faster saves fuel for his trucks and that it is more dangerous to have trucks and cars driving at different speeds.

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Skip Brandt agreed, though Triple-A of Idaho, a motorists group, says it opposed the plan, AP reported. Transport Topics

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Congress Extends Patriot Act for Five Weeks

Congress sent President Bush a second five-week extension of the Patriot Act late last week, as Senate negotiators worked to close a deal with the White House on renewing the antiterrorism law, the Associated Press reported.

The Senate voted 95-1 Thursday to extend the current law unchanged through March 10 and give negotiators more time to reach a deal. The House passed it Wednesday.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said he was prepared to work on the law to further improve it, AP reported.

Sixteen provisions of the 2001 law, passed after 9/11, were to expire Dec. 31, but Congress extended them after Democrats and a handful of Republicans demanded further protections of civil liberties. Transport Topics

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Ariz.’s National Guard Border Plan Scrutinized

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano’s (D) proposal to assign more National Guard troops near the border with Mexico is drawing mixed reviews, the Associated Press reported.

Napolitano proposed extending the National Guard’s border efforts to have troops work at border crossing points, assist with cargo inspection and operate mobile observation points. The military is considering the proposal, AP said.

The state already has about 170 National Guard troops at the border, assisting with communications, fence construction and anti-drug efforts, AP reported.

Some residents and business owners worry that even more personnel will ruin a symbiotic lifestyle they share with their neighbors in Mexico, while property owners say they welcome the help. Transport Topics

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