ARLINGTON, Va. — Carriers want the Obama administration to issue a definitive clarification on a rule that prohibits the inspection of hazmat cargo along the side of the highway.

Unless it is believed the shipment poses "an imminent danger or does not comply with the hazardous materials regulations," roadside truck enforcement officers should be prevented from opening a hazmat container, the American Trucking Association in a petition filed with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

"ATA supports PHMSA’s existing authority to require motor carriers to make records, equipment, packagings and containers available for inspection," ATA Vice President and Regulatory Counsel Rich Moskowitz wrote. "Unfortunately, [that authority] is being interpreted in a manner that frustrates the safe and efficient transportation of hazardous materials."

Despite numerous regulatory clarifications discouraging the practice, the unloading and inspection of hazmat packages during roadside inspections continues, says Moskowitz.

By specifying that most package inspections should occur at the point of loading or unloading, ATA said PHMSA could "improve the roadside inspection procedures, and avoid unnecessary delays and the additional handling of hazardous materials packages . . . while assuring the preservation of a robust hazardous materials transportation inspection authority for authorized representatives of the Department of Transportation," ATA says.