Trucks a real terror concern
Date: 2002-10-22
"Fresh threats against economic targets and three attacks overseas this year using fuel trucks have convinced security officials that America's trucks pose a greater risk than ever," says a recent New York Times article. While the public and government focus on airline security, trucking security is being ignored and trucking security systems already widely used elsewhere in the world remain novelties in North America.
"We have to consider the trucking industry as a potential target to be misused in a terrorist attack," said George A. Rodriguez, director of cargo security for the Transportation Security Administration. However, truck inspections are still rare and few drivers have received anti-terrorist training, even though $500,000 a year was allocated to such training.
Fuel-laden trucks have been used three times this year in terrorist attacks. On April 11, a terrorist driving a truck carrying liquefied natural gas ignited his cargo in front of a synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba, killing 21 people, mainly German and French tourists. Germany blamed Al Qaeda. This past summer, terrorists remotely triggered bombs attached to Israeli fuel tankers.
However, anti-terrorism officials concede that bombs are not necessary since many trucks contain cargo that is dangerous enough in itself. "About 50,000 trips are made each day by gasoline tankers, many of which hold as much fuel as a Boeing 757," says the New York times article. "Many of the depots where they fill up are unattended, dispensing fuel with the stroke of a driver's card. The trips often end with a late-night delivery to a deserted gas station.
Last month, the U.S. Transportation Department announced a two-year project to test satellite-tracking systems with devices that can disable a truck if an unauthorized driver takes control. The project will be partly funded by industry groups. Such systems are already in use in countries such as Brazil, where hijackings are common. One system sold by QualComm has been in use for nearly a decade in Brazil.
Trucks are most vulnerable when stopped, say the experts. Some companies have begun using crews of two drivers or setting up relays of drivers to avoid long layovers. Also, lack of secure parking areas for truckers is a problem, causing many drivers to seek quiet side streets or vacant mall lots for rest stops. Read the full New York Times article
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