wo trucking groups expressed reservations last week over a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposal to raise the annual registration fee for a hazardous material safety program.

Although 17 of 20 main toll plazas on the Illinois Tollway have been converted to open-road tolling, tucking officials said they are not yet reaping any benefits because of higher tolls and construction slowdowns.

Missouri state Sen. Bill Stouffer (R) said he will propose creating separate lanes for trucks and cars on two of the state’s most heavily traveled interstates without charging tolls.

The head of the Massachusetts Motor Transport Association said she opposes a new state law that allows Boston police to conduct random truck inspections in the city.

Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) signed a bill July 10 prohibiting truck drivers from idling their engines for more than five consecutive minutes during any 60-minute period.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance said the number of vehicles placed out of service during its annual Roadcheck safety event was lower than last year, but the percentage of drivers with violations rose to a four-year high.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced its final revisions to its 2004 cargo tie-down rule, clarifying placement of straps and easing the standard for how securely cargo must be tied to prevent it from moving while a truck is in operation.

All heavy-duty trucks conducting business in Ontario and Quebec may soon be required to have speed governors set at a maximum of 105 kilometers per hour, or about 65 mph, as the provinces consider measures they say will improve highway safety and air quality.

DUMFRIES, Va. — Virginia State Police Lieutenant Herb Bridges said that during his career in law enforcement and performing safety inspections of heavy-duty trucks, he has seen some pretty interesting things.

The Environmental Protection Agency has released its model idling law, recommending that heavy-duty truck idling be limited to 30 minutes when loading and unloading and five minutes in most other circumstances.