The Department of Transportation (DOT), understandably on edge after the unexpected terrorist attacks of last September, is planning to release a report in March that will detail the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) plan to improve hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation safety. The report is based on interviews conducted during visits to hazmat carriers (including ILMA members) and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver training schools over the last four months. The visits were prompted by reports that some suspected terrorists had attempted to obtain commercial driver licenses (CDLs) as part of a plan to use hazmat trucks as rolling bombs in future attacks.

Planning for April’s Mid-Year Meeting is essentially complete, and the meeting registration flyer is about to be dropped in the mail. We have an excellent program set for the upcoming spring meeting, and we look forward to seeing you on Hilton Head Island. You can now register for ILMA’s 2002 Mid-Year Meeting, New Rules, New Tools, at http://www.ilma.org . Be sure to make your hotel reservations at the Hilton Head Westin Resort soon – the hotel cut-off date is March 11th. After this date, room reservations will be honored at the group rate on a space available basis only. You are encouraged to make your hotel reservations immediately, since it is likely the resort will be sold out by the cut-off date of March 11, 2002. For room reservations at The Westin Resort, phone 843-681-4000.