|
 The
Transportation Security Administration has announced that they plan on issuing
security guidelines for trucks by September 30, 2003.
The administration has indicated they plan on having
"prototypical rules" in place by the end of this fiscal year. The
initial focus of the administration will be on four key areas of security.
Consequently the expected rules will most likely include:
Although there has been no specific indication of where TSA
will be heading with truck security, there are infinite options for them to
choose from.
This regulatory rulemaking process should be carefully
followed by folks within the trucking industry. Although improved security
is necessary, how we achieve it is less clear. You can be sure that every
technology company with a better security "mouse trap" will be
lobbying to have their ideas mandated by the government. Additionally,
regulators are not known for developing clear, concise and effective
regulations. If not carefully thought out, this could become a regulatory
nightmare.
Possible casualties of poor security regulations could be;
commercial vehicle safety, commercial driver availability, small business
bankruptcy and higher shipping costs through:
-
Resources diverted from highway safety to security (both
economic and human) could significantly impact the safety improvements made
over the last two decades.
-
Drivers are already tired of being treated like
"scum" by enforcement personnel out on the highway and poor
regulations would add another layer of this treatment. We could see our
"Knights of the Road" look for other less stressful and demeaning
occupations.
-
Today, roughly 85% of all trucking companies have 20
trucks or less. The economy is moved by all of these "small
businesses" not the big carriers. Unproven, expensive and unmanageable
technology or operational requirements could put many of these folks out of
business.
-
Trucking is already one of the lowest profit industries
in our nation and competition is immense. Shippers and consumers are always
looking for the lowest cost. It's hard to understand where the money will
come from to fund an entire new set of regulations.
Although we all agree that security must be improved, we must
take an active interest in making sure whatever the regulators come up with
actually moves towards this goal. We will keep on eye on the future progress of
the TSA rulemaking and keep you abreast of possible pitfalls. Hopefully, we
won't experience a terrorist attack involving a truck between now and then. If
that were to happen, you can bet Congress would pass legislation that would tie
up trucking safety and security like a Thanksgiving turkey.
Return to Top of Page
|
