Should Mexican Trucks Be Allowed Throughout U.S.?

The recent release of a Transportation Departments inspector general's office government audit has brought to a head, once again, an issue which ignites deep feelings and loyalties in the best people.

One of the provisions of NAFTA is to allow drivers licensed in Mexico and big-rig trucks and buses registered there unfettered access to the US.

A pilot program to allow them on US highways began in September 2007 and ended in March 2009 when Congress cut off funding for it.

The claim by those opposing the rule is that the trucks are not inspected properly and regularly, at least to US standards, and that their sheer number will overwhelm already-overwrought border crossings.

An already-jammed US/Mexico border crossing

Those in favor say that it's only fair because US trucks have access to Mexico. There's also a sometimes-not-so thinly-veiled charge of racism tossed at the people against instituting the law. I know this to be true because more than a year ago we posted a blog piece saying those against the rule were making some good points; hence, according to comments from some visitors here, I was "racist."

Currently, trucks and buses from Mexico are limited to a radius of about 50 miles north of the border; at warehouses within that area, they drop-off their loads (or passengers) and they're picked-up by American-registered vehicles and taken to their destinations nationwide.

Naturally, the Teamsters Union and its 1.4-million members, is against the provision and has fought hard to keep it from becoming law. The very name "Teamster" comes from drivers who managed "teams" of horses in the pre-industrial US; they've fought battles and won many, but this time they're up against entire governments.

Mexico slapped tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of goods shipped from the US after the pilot program was shut down.

Teamster-organized protests have been effective in informing the public about this NAFTA provision, but were too jingoistic for my taste

The issue is heating-up again, and Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said Wednesday that "an inspector general report shows once and for all that the border should remain closed to unsafe Mexican trucks."

The Teamsters' press release goes on to say that the inspector general reported that states aren't consistently reporting Mexican drivers' traffic convictions. That "could result in Mexican Federal CDL (commercial driver's license) holders continuing to drive in the United States after incurring a disqualifying traffic offense."

The AP reports that: "Some Mexican passenger buses are not being inspected when they enter the US because they cross the border on evenings and weekends, there are no inspectors or the crossings lack safe places for inspections, according to a government audit made public Wednesday.

Border crossing truck inspection

"Daily bus inspections were not being conducted at border crossings at Calexico and San Ysidro in California and Laredo and McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge in Texas, the Transportation Departments inspector general's office said in its report.

"At the San Ysidro and Laredo crossings, bus inspections were being carried out on the road's shoulder within inches of moving passenger buses, the report said."

According to the Teamsters, "The report said that the shift in border inspectors should "call into question whether FMCSA's (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) border staff could meet the bus inspection demands that may occur if the border were to open to a large number of Mexican long-haul trucks and buses."

Hoffa said that Mexican trucks should not be allowed to travel on U.S. highways until the United States implements a comprehensive inspection program and the Mexican government ensures that hours-of-service rules are enforced, that Mexican drivers meet the same qualifications as US drivers and that drug and alcohol testing facilities are brought up to US standards" (end of Teamsters' quote).

A truck driver near the border not wearing his shoulder-harness ... okay, calm down, it is George W and it is a joke ...

Admittedly, much of my opposition to this program is based on my own observations and experiences, having traveled to and through Mexico many times.

From appearance alone, really the only evidence I have to go on, trucks and buses in Mexico are in a different, maybe minor league, than their US cousins.

Because the topic is making the news once again, and politicos on all sides are deciding what their positions will be on the issue, it's time for all of us to let our feelings be known. We welcome and encourage all comments, from all sides.

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Comments

[mountainweb]

Here is a commonsense bottom line, the trucks are not inspected properly and regularly. You cannot put the American trucking industry out of business by forcing them to be inspected (costs time and MONEY) and not their new competition. Allowing non-inspected trucks to compete with American companies is "politically correct" stupidity....

[Steve Parker - Huffpost Blogger]

All these comments are great! This single topic encompasses so many of the border issues both countries are dealing with. When you live near the border (as I have in the past) and hear a news report saying 15 people were killed in a shoot-out in, let's say, Ensenada, that's only 75 miles south of where I was living. So emotion definitely plays into it.
For the scores of times I have gone into Mexico, for vacation, to cover races like the Baja 100, etc., I have never waited more than TEN minutes at the border station manned by the Mexican Federales. "Come on in!" they seem to say. Coming into the US, two hours or more is a typical wait time art a major border crossing.
After reading the comments I have a couple of other questions? Who should do the inspections of the Mexican-registered trucks and on what side of the border?

[Rule Of Law]

Should Mexican Trucks Be Allowed Throughout U.S.?

Only if they fill them up with illegals for the trip back!

[watchTVgetSTUPID]

US citizens are taxed to build and maintain the roads. Foreign truckers/foreign companies get a free ride. They need to pay a special assessment fee that compensates for the use of the roads. They also need to pay for the cost of operating the special assesment fee. The fee should also include the cost of regulating and enforcing the rules at the boarder. If they pass through the boarder without all the required assessments and inspections, then they are iillegal and their rigs & cargo should be confiscated.

They should not be permitted to break US minimum wage laws and should be fined retroactively for all the infringements. Likewise for all unlimiited insurance related infractions. This is a start.

[mismicma]

Most trucking companies (over-the-road) do not pay minimum wage at all. The drivers are paid per mile or as a percentage of the load pay. As we speak many if not most over the road drivers are already paid less than minimum wage per hour of service. It will go down even further if Mexican drivers are allowed to drive throughout the US.

[bobo5]

I believe BC truckers pay registration to all three western states when they come down here to load up with produce.

[AngryOhioan]

US trucks use Mexican roads without paying special fees. The US has had many years to set up an inspection regime. The only reason an inspection regime has not been set up is so we have an excuse to engage in protectionism. This debate is not about safety. The Mexicans could be inspected the same as US trucks and the Teamsters would still try to keep them out.

[GardenerNorCal]

My concern is situations like the tunnel fire in 2007, and the fact that there were 9 missing unidentified drivers involved in that accident.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21276017/

[RobinSeattle]

I asked one of my uncles about this since he is a long haul truck driver. He is fine with Mexican trucks being allowed in the U.S. (I'm still pretty leary myself). He figures that if they're unsafe they will be snagged by the police.

[Social Construct]

Does anyone know if there are barriers to US trucking companies setting up shop in Mexico, hiring Mexican drivers, and then sending them into the US to replace higher paid American drivers if there is unfettered commercial trucking across borders? This may be of great concern to US drivers, would it not?

[mismicma]

Is there any law keeping a Mexican company from buying up the loads in the US once their drivers can drive here freely?

[JBS]

If the vehicles meet the same safety standards as US vehicles. If the drivers are required to meet the same qualifications as US drivers, I say let 'em in.

If they don't. Keep 'em out.

[nopilikia]

Well said. No free pass on standards and qualifications required here in the name of free trade.

[therealredstateblues]

And if the mexican drivers are paid the same as US ones

[mommadona]

Exactly - question? How about CANADIAN trucks? If the MEXICAN trucks meet the safety standards/drivers standards - no problem.

[JBS]

Same as Mexican trucks - If the vehicles meet (or exceed) US safety and maintenance standards; if the drivers meet (or exceed) US safety standards, they should have free access to US roads.

If not, NO.

I understand the concerns regarding driver pay. There are two things I think can and should apply:

1. I don't see how a company CAN meet US safety standards for their trucks and drivers qualifications if they undercut US wages. If they cut corners on pay, it's going to affect driver qualifications. And if it does, those trucks and those drivers should be excluded.

2. If Mexico wants their trucks in the US under NAFTA, US unions should have the same rights to organize unions in Mexico that they have in the US. And I wouldn't apply that just to truck drivers. I think it should apply to ALL the maquiladora manufacturing plants in Mexico.

[bobo5]

We should honor our treaties we sign with our neighbors and which all three governments have ratified themselves. You don't change the rules of a game you all agree to at the start.

If Canadians drive commercial vehicles in the US to make deliveries and pick up stuff then I see absolutely no reason why Mexican firms can't do the same. The safety and the funding arguments are all flimsy.

[janeycat]

not flimsy considering the unsafe trucks that have been turned away because of major safety violations.such as brakes only working on one wheel,rubber on tires comming off in front of your eyes,broken mirrors or no mirrors at all,for just a few things that the Mexican truck drivers try to drive into the US.

saftey on our highways is important to us,thats why we have all the laws for trucks and cars.when anyone from the US goes into Mexico we are expected to follow there laws or go to jail when we break them.

we dont need them any farther than 50 miles inside our borders.all the people that disagree,will feel completely different after one of there bald tires blows out and the truck jack-knifes and God only knows what comes next.


what about the drivers that cant speak,read or write english that read our highway signs.i dont think anyone that do these things should be driving from Mexico to Washington,New York,Calif­ornia,Flor­ida,Tennes­see well we all get the picture.
i hope they keep the laws as they are now.the Mexican drivers make a living doing as it is now.
we have enough people out of work now,we dont need more people in the US to loose there jobs.

i am not predijice,i have no hard feelings toward anyone.this just makes sence for all of us

[bobo5]

Fimsy again. Trucks in Mexico are manufactured by the same companies in Canada and US.

Reading road signs is a simple affair.

[nopilikia]

Not flimsy when you consider tainted milk and lead painted toys from China. Unsafe trucks hauling toxic chemicals or fuels on U.S. highways. I don't think so.

[Kassandra]

Questions like this which are immediately labeled "racist" cut off all discussion of real issues. I live in a border, sanctuary state where illegals are automatically granted a driver's license when they arrive and it's very dangerous to even drive around here any more....let alone what this has done to the social services in this state or the increased crime and drug activity.
I don't want a "big rig" with bad brakes and fuming smoke stack behind ME on the highway, or turning wildly in front of me. There's enuff of that already here, thankyouverymuch.

[nopilikia]

If they want their big rigs on our roads then meet our big rig standards to do so. Thats the trouble with this nation. Free trade, free trade. Our companies have to comply with the laws and rules, but foreign companies get a pass. What a bunch of BS.

[WorkingClass]

The National Chamber of Commerce (and neo-liberals everywhere) would like to simply throw open the border. Their goal is to impoverish American workers. It is my personal opinion that Mexican trucks and buses found north of the border should be destroyed. After carefully removing the drivers and passengers of course.

[DamaskinosWasRight]

+
Safety is a red herring.
+
The real question is do we support the American Worker or give away the jobs that support the middle class.
+
I support the Teamsters.
+
Racist accusations are ridiculous since there is no Teamster barrier to Hispanics joining the union.
+

[18wheeler]

Faved! It took me three months of full time training (classroom studies + behind the wheel practice) and very hard testing to get my New Mexico CDL. Every month we have random drug testing at our safety meetings. I cover 108+ points on my rig every morning before hitting the road, and again at night after work (inspections). Sorry but I just don't think the standards are the same south of the border... And I should know, I was born and raised in South America...

[TWKT]

Only problem, there are too many that don't do all this.

[DamaskinosWasRight]

Thank you !

[nevsquare52]

I was never a trucker but agree that the safety issue could be trouble later if the trucks from south of border get up to speed on meeting safety standards. I'm 64 and was able to retire but younger people may not due to competing with the 3rd world and with nafta and other free trade with the support of almost all our politicians. It's a race to the bottom for workers and only benefits corporation who can afford to outsource, offshore and import workers that will undercut wages here. Maybe we ought to elect only politicians from India for $300 a month. What will they do for us? Nothing. But at least they won't do anything for us cheaper.

[Ben6768]

Thanks Steve -- things should be done in a way that benefit American truck drivers first of all
Cheers

[lightningbolt]

We should not be allowing more trucks on our highways. Trucks destroy roads and increase traffic congestion. We should be replacing most trucks with trains.

[Ben6768]

Yes, I agree

[guy12002us]

US trucking companies and drivers already have strict safety regulations and processes to track safety issues. In July 2010, the FMCSA is introducing CSA 2010, which increases safety compliance and oversight efforts on US carriers and drivers. The new rules target individual drivers to determine a carrier's safety rating, a carrier's best defense of its safety rating will be to terminate drivers with an issue. Its estimated the new rules will result in 175,000 current US truck drivers losing their jobs.

FMCSA says Mexican carriers and drivers will be rated same as US carriers, but any Mexican driver/carrier who runs afoul of US rules just goes back to Mexico to work, while the US carrier/driver is out of luck. Since past safety history is a predictor of the future, how does the FMCSA intend to track issues including accidents and drug and alcohol testing on Mexican drivers while in Mexico? A different issue exists with Canadian drivers and carriers who actually face stricter safety regulations in Canada than in the US.

Anyone who believes that Mexican domiciled carriers and drivers will operate under the same compliance as US drivers and carriers is smoking something. Soon US trucking companies will domicile in Mexico to reduce costs of operating in the US, resulting in the loss of even more US jobs and a decrease in safety. And for what? So WalMart can cuts is distribution costs even more?