Colonel
Kenneth L. Morckel
Superintendent
Ohio State Highway Patrol
Safety and security are clearly concerns for everyone these days. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continually exploring new ways to increase safety and security in our state. This month, we teamed up with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), American Trucking Associations (ATA), and the Ohio Trucking Association (OTA) to begin Highway Watch, a federally funded program to improve both highway safety and homeland security. The Highway Watch program is yet another improvement to safety in Ohio – both on our highways and at home.
The September 11th attacks put all forms of transportation on notice for possible terrorist activity. The Motor Transport Division of the National Safety Council stated commercial vehicles may be increasingly vulnerable to hijacking attempts. Any commercial truck could be used as a weapon by terrorists - not just those that transport potentially dangerous hazardous materials.
One of the most effective defenses against cargo theft is an open exchange of information between the trucking industry and law enforcement. The new Highway Watch program makes this communication between truck drivers and law enforcement highly effective.
Federally funded by the FMCSA, the Ohio Highway Watch program is an extension of a national effort that trains truck drivers to alert law enforcement officials of highway safety concerns. Ohio Highway Watch has two safety components – homeland security and highway safety. The two main goals of the homeland security component are to see that no truck is used as a weapon and to protect Ohio’s transportation infrastructure.
ATA-trained Troopers held the first Highway Watch training for commercial truck drivers on June 6th at the Patrol Academy in Columbus. Highway Watch training will continue throughout the state this year.
We are not asking truckers to act as law enforcement officers, but to provide valuable safety information to law enforcement. This means law enforcement officers and professional drivers need to be alert, keep their eyes open, use common sense, and keep an open line of communication with each other.
During the Highway Watch training, Troopers teach truck drivers to remember the acronym – T-R-U-C-K for reporting incidents. T stands for "Time of Observation;" R is for "Route or Location;" U is "Unusual Activity," C is "Communicate (to law enforcement);" and K is for "Keep Under Observation."
The Highway Watch program places more eyes and ears on our highways, and provides information to emergency personnel in a timely manner. In addition to suspicious activity, truck drivers will be trained report unsafe drivers, crashes, stranded motorists, and unsafe roadway conditions.
Ohio’s professional commercial truck drivers are willing and anxious to assist in the security of our homeland and highways. Truck drivers know better than anyone what looks out of the ordinary regarding truck traffic. With approximately 450,000 truckers on Ohio’s highways each day, they have the ability to make a significant contribution to highway safety and homeland security.
You don’t have to be Highway Watch-trained to help. We want all Ohio motorists to help out with homeland security and highway safety. If you see a reckless driver, suspicious activities, or even a stranded motorist, call the Patrol at 1-877-7-PATROL, or cellular *DUI." In Ohio, the toll-free number 1-877-7-PATROL is routed to the closest Highway Patrol Post, and calls can help us dispatch a trooper to the area as quickly as possible.
I appreciate Ohio’s professional drivers stepping up to become such an integral part of our state’s safety and security. I don’t think we could ask for more patriotic Americans working together with law enforcement to protect our homeland.
For more information on the Ohio Highway Watch program, visit the Patrol’s Web site at www.state.oh.us/ohiostatepatrol.
It’s about safety!