• Exterior security lighting is an inexpensive, effective way for a company to secure its motor carrier yard.

The value of adequate exterior security lighting as a deterrent to crime cannot be overemphasized. When compared to the potential losses of cargo theft, exterior lighting is a cost-effective security measure that all motor carriers should seriously consider.

The entire facility (buildings, parking lots, fueling areas, doorways, perimeter fencing, etc.) should have adequate lighting. Intruders generally prefer unlit or dark areas.

Lighting should allow security personnel to see all sensitive areas (including the inside of vehicles) and all areas of the perimeter. Watch for areas where the light cones do not overlap and provide a dark corridor through which an intruder could pass unnoticed. In addition:

• Exterior security lighting should be directed downward and away from the facility. This will help prevent glare and will ensure the entire yard is visible from inside the terminal.
• Exterior lighting should be controlled by an automatic photoelectric cell. This will prevent human error and will ensure that the lighting is activated every time.
• All lighting should be secured in vandal/weather resistant housing.

When choosing, reviewing, or evaluating the need for exterior lighting, do the required homework. There are many high-tech as well as conventional options available, from motion-sensing lights to lights built into vehicle barriers. If electrical costs are a concern, consider installing motion-sensing lights on less-critical areas.