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Just as motor carriers are becoming increasingly cautious about who is driving their trucks in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, law enforcement officials say cargo thieves are growing increasingly sophisticated in their modus operandi.

Sales of heavy-duty trucks rose 17.7% in November from a year earlier as truck manufacturers filled orders for Class 8s with engines built before federal emission standards took effect Oct. 1 as well as new lower-emission models.

Although fuel prices are the lowest they have been in two years, some analysts are recommending that truck fleets hold off on making high-volume purchases because they believe prices will continue to fall throughout the winter.

Motor carriers unable to absorb the cost of security surcharges commercial airlines have implemented in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are beginning to pass those fees on to customers.

The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is enforcing a requirement that truck drivers in both countries show photo identification and proof of citizenship when crossing the U.S.-Canada border, the agency said.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Members of American Trucking Associations’ Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council got a heavy dose of high-tech training here Sept. 25 at the group’s fall meeting, learning about tech-savvy answers for driver drowsiness, handling hazardous road conditions and basic driver training.

As the Bush administration prepares for retaliation against the terrorists who struck the United States Sept. 11, it is also suggesting it could open the spigot to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to dispel fears of a potential energy shortage..