The American Trucking Assns.' (ATA) Highway Watch program has announced the availability of an enhanced web-based training module for surface transportation professionals wishing to receive the program's anti-terrorism and safety training.
It also provides a temporary registration receipt for those drivers in Georgia who need to show proof of training, which is required to secure a Georgia Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Georgia began mandating that new CDL applicants and those seeking to renew be required to complete Highway Watch training since July.
“We're very excited about this web-based training option,” said Highway Watch vp Bill Jacobs. “Not only does it significantly reduce operating costs for Highway Watch and our partners, but it makes it much easier for truck drivers and other surface transportation professionals to receive the training and certification.”
The web-based system integrates elements from all of the currently available Highway Watch training modes including audio, video, and classroom instruction. The training also provides audio transcripts for hearing impaired professionals. Trainees are required to watch the entire program and questions are asked throughout the viewing to ensure that the trainee fully grasps the content.
The program can be accessed at http://training.highwaywatch.com and those wishing to take the training must fully register and provide current contact and employment information.
The upgrade represents a significant refinement of the online module since it launched in September, John Willard, spokesman for Highway Watch told FleetOwner. The e-certification component of the upgrade will significantly reduce the burden for Georgia drivers seeking to obtain or renew their CDL. Before this feature was available, such applicants had to wait two to three weeks to receive their Highway Watch ID card in the mail. That card was required to be presented to the Georgia DMV to receive a CDL.
“Georgia is the only state in nation that requires Highway Watch certification for CDLs,” Willard told FleetOwner. “It’s been an issue because Highway Watch wasn’t set up for a quick certification. We didn’t support [the measure].”
Willard said that streamlining the online module had always been a priority, but the Georgia law “prompted [Highway Watch] to significantly increase [its] efforts. We want to make training as inexpensive as possible. Obviously trucking companies in Georgia have to get their drivers trained.”
Highway Watch is a national program that trains highway sector professionals, such as truck drivers, school bus drivers, highway workers, law enforcement, first responders, and many others, to recognize and report suspicious activity and safety hazards. As part of the program, the Highway Watch Information Sharing and Analysis Center (HWWISAC) works with the Dept. of Homeland Security and other intelligence-gathering agencies to analyze data streams that could reveal terrorist activity.
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