The State Highway Patrol is kicking off a new program to train truck drivers to watch for signs of potential crimes and safety threats while they're traveling Ohio roadways.

A group of Wal-Mart truck drivers attending a Thursday training session at a distribution center in Grove City in suburban Columbus got tips on spotting and reporting different types of criminal activity. That includes impaired driving, human trafficking and homeland security concerns.

Patrol superintendent Col. John Born says truckers can be extra sets of eyes and ears to assist the patrol while doing their everyday jobs.

President Larry Davis of the Ohio Trucking Association says a similar, federally funded program ended several years ago. Davis says the state effort helps fill the gap in training.