US trucking industry in danger of infiltration by terrorists: consultant

AN anti-terrorism consultant to the US trucking industry has alleged that the security of the logistics industry was in jeopardy because of the lack of a proper commercial driver licence issuing system.



"The safety of the nation's logistics industry and the security of the entire country has been seriously compromised by our failure to provide finger print screening for all Commercial Driver (CDL) applicants," said Terry Evans, CEO of Fleet Defender Consulting Services, a private company providing anti-terrorism consulting to trucking companies.



"Without question, terrorists, convicted felons and other undesirables are travelling the country, legally driving 80,000 pound big rigs throughout every community in America. We have quite literally made our highways a welcome mat for terrorism," he warned.



Given that trucks are the number one tool used by terrorist worldwide, the prospect that anyone can gain access to a tractor trailer is particularly chilling, the consultant said in a statement.



The US government recently mandated finger printing only for drivers carrying hazardous materials. However, the consultant said that this represents an extremely small fraction of the CDL driver population and having an endorsement is voluntary.



Safety and security officers with trucking companies across the US have reported thousands of drivers opting out of the Haz-Mat endorsement when confronted with fingerprinting.



"You can bet there's a reason these guys are avoiding fingerprinting," said Mr Evans.