FMCSA officials based in Washington notified the American Trucking Assns. (ATA) today of these upcoming visits, and asked ATA to assure truckers that the on-site visits are not enforcement-oriented, but intended to urge additional caution.
In addition to the FMCSA visits, ATA said it has also learned that some states have increased, or will be increasing, their level of hazardous-materials truck and driver inspections at fixed inspection locations and with their mobile inspection teams.
Fleet Owner today reported that 20 people have been charged with fraudulently obtaining hazmat-endorsed CDLs. Several of those arrested may have links to the terrorists deemed responsible for the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.
Last Thursday, the FBI arrested a “close associate” of Osama bin Laden, Nabil al Marabh, who holds a hazmat-endorsed CDL from Michigan.
