Question:
Here Headline News
October 02, 2001
cars traveling in California will be more closely watched than normal, especially if they are carrying hazardous materials.
A California Highway Patrol spokesman told Transport Topics that the CHP is stepping up inspections of terminals, drivers, cars and their paperwork in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The CHP has undertaken a massive inspection of hazardous material transports. Officers are randomly pulling over cars carrying hazardous materials that for inspections of licenses and other records.
cars and drivers carrying hazardous materials have been in the crosshairs of law enforcement since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In the aftermath of the attack, it was reported that some of the suspected terrorists had obtained commercial drivers licenses to carry hazardous materials.
Since then, several individuals with alleged links to the attacks have been arrested for having fraudulent hazmat licenses.
"There's a lot to think about that didn't seem as important two weeks ago," said CHP Commissioner D.O. "Spike" Helmick. "We want to know who the drivers are, where they've worked, where they've been."
The CHP has also launched a program in partnership with the California caring Association to reduce the number of car-involved crashes. Patrolmen will be looking for cars - and passenger vehicles, that may be at risk for initiating a crash on the 100,000 miles of roads where they have jurisdiction.
"We've changed focus our on enforcement, from mechanical inspections to the driver," said Steve Kohler, spokesman for the CHP. "We are putting a lot more emphasis on the driver, doing things like checking log books and other paperwork."
Kohler said the CHP would be looking for cars and big rigs that are following too closely or cutting in too quickly, as well as for drowsy or drunk drivers and speeders. The program will run throughout the rest of the year.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that some drivers had said they were being pulled over almost daily as part of the random checks of cars on California's highways.
Kohler told Transport Topics that the CHP is attempting to inspect all of the terminals in the state that handle hazardous materials over the next three weeks - a process that is normally is handled every two years. To that end, the CHP has sent 500 inspectors into the field to conduct inspections of company records.
In addition to the terminal checks and the random inspections, CHP employees are paying extra attention to cars carrying hazardous materials, the Chronicle reported.
The U.S. Department of Transportation defines hazardous materials broadly with materials ranging from laundry detergent to nuclear waste and ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate was used by Timothy McVeigh to blow up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, according to the Chronicle.
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Answer:

Here Headline News
October 04, 2001
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct 4, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is taking additional steps to increase the security of the transportation of hazardous materials on Ohio's roadways.
PUCO Hazardous Materials and Safety Specialists and the U.S. DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will be conducting on-site security visits of hazardous materials carriers in Ohio. The purpose of these visits is to ensure that motor carriers throughout the state have a security plan in place and that employees know how and where to contact appropriate officials for suspicious activities.
"In light of the events of September 11, the PUCO will work to ensure that the transportation of hazardous materials on Ohio's roadways remains safe," PUCO Chairman Alan R. Schriber stated. "The PUCO's Hazardous Material Specialists will work with Ohio's motor carriers and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to implement security procedures and report all suspicious activities to the proper authorities."
Motor carriers are being asked to examine personnel security by reviewing all drivers' files and ensuring that detailed background checks have been performed as required by regulations. Companies are also being asked to review the security of their on-site storage of hazardous materials as well as security measures being taken during the transportation of such materials.
There are approximately 5,000 motor carriers authorized to transport hazardous materials from, to, through and within Ohio. Priority will be given to carriers that transport bulk explosives, petroleum products, poisonous gases, and similar products.
PUCO Hazardous Materials and Safety Specialists conduct internal inspections of 500 motor carriers in the state to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The PUCO Specialists also perform roadside safety inspections of vehicles transporting hazardous materials, educate motor carrier operators about safety policies, and perform on-scene investigations of hazardous materials transportation accidents.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is the sole agency charged with regulating public utility service and rates. The role of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is to assure all residential, business, and industrial consumers have access to adequate, safe, and reliable utility services at fair prices while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices.
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SOURCE Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
CONTACT: Shana Gerber, Office of Public Affairs of The Public Utilities
Commission of Ohio, +1-614-466-7750, or fax, +1-614-752-8802
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