Section B – Security guidance for the truck drivers | Chapter 2
Preparation
Being well-prepared for each journey forms a cornerstone in effective and efficient freight transport security management, that goes without saying. You as a truck driver should follow this set of good security practices in order to mitigate the risk of theft, stowaways or terrorism during the later phases of your journey:
Obtain available security instructions from your back office, including any customer / load specific instructions.
Obtain available security instructions from your back office, including any customer / load specific instructions.
- Prior to commencing your journey, ask your back office planner or your manager if you are in doubt about any security instructions related to your load / shipment.
Plan your route before you start your journey, and decide where you are going to have stopovers and where to park overnight.
Plan your route before you start your journey, and decide where you are going to have stopovers and where to park overnight.
- Familiarize yourself with the entire route in order to minimize any security problems.
- Online resources are available to support the planning.
It is important that the exact delivery time and location of your shipment is agreed with the end destination, in advance of commencing your journey.
It is important that the exact delivery time and location of your shipment is agreed with the end destination, in advance of commencing your journey.
- In the event that you arrive early or are unable to meet the delivery deadline at the end destination, you should have an agreed alternative safe harbor location where you can wait for your delivery time slot.
Ensure that you adhere to your company or customer agreed No-Stop-Zones.
Ensure that you adhere to your company or customer agreed No-Stop-Zones.
- In case any deviations, communicate immediately to the back office.
Pre-book a lot at a secure parking place, if possible.
Pre-book a lot at a secure parking place, if possible.
- Secure parking is a well-lit parking area, which as a minimum has dedicated security barrier, perimeter fencing and CCTV coverage.
- Be aware that the supply of pre-bookable secure parking lots is limited across Europe.
Avoid high-risk routes or routes where you need to drive slowly or make many stops.
Avoid high-risk routes or routes where you need to drive slowly or make many stops.
- High risk routes contain known hot spots where cargo crime regularly takes place or where stowaways are frequently active.
- Stops and slow speed make you an easier target for any offenders.
Plan stopovers a considerable distance from high-risk border crossings or ports.
Plan stopovers a considerable distance from high-risk border crossings or ports.
- There is an increased risk of stowaways entering your truck when you are close to border terminals.
- When at a border crossing you should only stop where requested by authorities.
Make sure that all security related devices and features in your truck function properly.
Make sure that all security related devices and features in your truck function properly.
- Typical security related devices include: the panic alarm, vehicle immobilizer, telematics, locks and seals and tracking devices.
In case a security check-list is mandated by your company, fill it in.
In case a security check-list is mandated by your company, fill it in.
- A company specific security check-list can be built upon this ROADSEC truck driver security toolkit.