Mexico Trucker Online

I’ve never met the man but perhaps I’ll have the pleasure sometime in this life, but it is gratifying to see FMCSA Administrator John Hill rebutting the ridiculous assertions of the opponents of the Mexican Pilot Truck Program.

In this letter to the Pittsburg Tribune Review Mr. Hill lets his feelings be known about Dimitri Vassilaros recent column which we reported [cref another-mexican-rigging-more-idiocy-and-misinformation here] You go John!

Here is John Hill’s response and I am certain it illustrates the feelings of many of us.

It’s hard to believe a legitimate newspaper like the Trib would publish a column so grossly distorted as the one Dimitri Vassilaros wrote about the federal government’s cross-border trucking demonstration program at the U.S.-Mexican border (”Another Mexican rigging?” June 22 and PghTrib.com).

Every day, thousands of Mexican trucks operate in U.S. border commercial zones without incident. Still, this rigorously enforced program imposes stricter safety standards on Mexican operations in the U.S. than those reserved for Canadian operations.

Both federal and state law-enforcement entities have been methodical in this program’s preparations and meticulous in our commitment to meeting and exceeding every safety requirement. By the time our inspectors finish their evaluations, Mexican trucks, companies and drivers will be among the most thoroughly vetted on our highways.

The fact that Mr. Vassilaros chose incoherent rhetoric over accuracy is a sign of just how hollow the arguments are against a program that will protect the safety of our highways, create new opportunities for U.S. truckers, lower the cost of consumer goods and give an added boost to our economy.

What a shame for Pittsburgh readers to be deprived of both accuracy and reason with their morning coffee.

John H. Hill
Washington, D.C.

The writer is administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.