En route security

Scope

This information applies to motor carriers, drivers, and shippers.

Regulatory citations

• None

Key definitions

• Motor carrier: A for-hire motor carrier or a private motor carrier. The term includes a motor carrier’s agents, officers, and representatives as well as employees responsible for hiring, supervising, training, assigning, or dispatching of drivers and employees concerned with the installation, inspection, and maintenance of motor vehicle equipment and/or accessories.

• Shipper: A person who tenders property to a motor carrier or driver of a commercial motor vehicle for transportation in interstate or intrastate commerce.

Summary of requirements

Shippers should:

• Assess the transportation modes or combinations of modes available for transporting specific materials and select the most appropriate method of transportation to assure efficient and secure movement of product from origin to destination.
• Know their carriers. Have a system for qualifying the carriers used to transport hazardous materials. Use carrier safety ratings, assessments, safety surveys, or audits and ask the carrier to provide information on security measures it has implemented.
• Verify the carrier has an appropriate employee hiring and review process, including background checks and an on-going security training program.
• Verify the identity of the carrier and/or driver prior to loading. Ask the driver for photo identification and a commercial driver’s license and compare with information provided by the carrier.
• Ask the driver to tell you the name of the consignee and the destination for the material and confirm with your records before releasing shipments.
• Identify preferred and alternative routing, including acceptable deviations. Strive to minimize product exposures to:
  • Communities or populated areas, including downtown areas;
  • Avoid tunnels and bridges where possible; and
  • Expedite transportation of the shipment to its final destination.
• Minimize stops en route. If you must stop, select locations with adequate lighting on well-traveled roads. Check the vehicle after each stop to make sure nothing has been tampered with. Consider using two drivers or driver relays to minimize stops during the trip. Avoid layovers, particularly for high hazard materials.
• Cooperate with rail carriers to assure the security of rail cars stored temporarily on leased track.
• Make sure that any materials that must be stored during transportation are stored in secure facilities.
• Train drivers how to avoid hijacking or stolen cargo, and to be aware of vehicles that may be following their truck.

All drivers should:

• Be suspicious of individuals asking the driver to stop at an accident scene or assist a stranded motorist;
• Never pick up hitchhikers;
• Remain aware of surroundings at all times; and
• Keep vehicles locked when parked and avoid casual conversations with strangers about cargo and routes.

Motor carriers should consider:

• Frequent checks with drivers to ensure everything is in order;
• Establishing a communication system with transport vehicles and operators, including a crisis communication system with primary and back-up means of communication among the shipper, carrier, and law enforcement and emergency response officials;
• Utilizing advanced technology to track or protect shipments en route to their destinations, including:
  • Tractor and trailer anti-theft devices,
  • Satellite tracking, or
  • Surveillance systems;
• Installing tamperproof seals on all valves and packages or containers;
• If a guard or escort for a specific shipment or hazardous materials is appropriate; and
• Implementing a system for a customer to alert a shipper if a hazardous materials shipment is not received when expected.

When products are delivered, the receiver should check the carrier’s identity with shipping documents provided by the shipper.

If you suspect you shipped or delivered a hazardous material to someone who may intend to use it for a criminal purpose, notify your local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office and local law enforcement officials.