The American Trucking Associations has entered into a $19.3 million cooperative agreement with the Transportation Security Administration to expand its Highway Watch program. This program trains truckers and other highway professionals to identify and report safety and security situations on our nation's roads.

The goal of the Highway Watch program is to link truckers and other transportation workers, who are on the front lines, with law enforcement and the intelligence community to ensure that a commercial vehicle is never used as a weapon.

The funds from the TSA will support immediate Highway Watch instruction for nearly 400,000 professionals. This "Transportation Army" will include truckers, bus drivers, travel center workers, shippers, highway construction workers, toll booth operators and state Department of Transportation employees.

"Our drivers see a lot through their windshields," says Bill Graves, ATA president and CEO. "Now, if something looks out-of-line, then can quickly get the information to the right people for appropriate action." For more on the Highway Watch program, go to www.truckline.com.