Mexico Trucker Online

A misguided Pennsylvania state lawmaker, looking to get his name in the media, is calling for President Bush to comply with the federal law regarding trucks from Mexico.

State Rep. Dan Surra, D-Elk, has offered a resolution that urges the Bush administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation to obey recently enacted federal law.

“Allowing Mexican truckers and long-haul rigs on highways throughout the United States – absent the rigorous inspections and safety and training standards for U.S. trucks and truck drivers – is dangerous to the public,” Surra said in a written statement.

Congress approved legislation late last year to stop funding for the pilot program, citing concerns that Mexican trucks don’t meet U.S. safety standards. The Bush administration and U.S. DOT, however, are continuing to allow the Mexico-based trucks to cross the border.

Surra is looking to put more pressure on the president and U.S. DOT to end the program.

“Keeping these Mexican trucks on U.S. highways is a direct violation of federal law, a law that the president himself signed,” Surra said. “It also puts many safe U.S. trucking companies and truck drivers at a competitive disadvantage in their own country.”

The resolution – HR612 – is awaiting consideration in the state’s House Transportation Committee.

Editors Note: Actually, the truth of the matter, which has been proven on this site, is that the Mexican carriers engaged in this program are rigorously inspected and and held to the same and somewhat higher standards than their American counterparts. The concerns cited are merely a smokescreen put before the American public by special interest groups such as the Teamsters and OOIDA to furhter their nativist and protectionist agenda.

In the six months this program has been in operation, there have been no incidents, accidents or other actions that have put the American public at risk. To date, the program has been a success.

In regards to it being in violation of Federal Law, that will be for the 9th Circuit to decide. Most people with a brain and the knowledge to use it realize that FMCSA is following the Dorgan amendment to the letter. They have not “established” any Pilot Programs regarding Mexican trucks since the Omnibus Spending Bill was signed into law. Er, where in the hell is Elk Pa anywho?

What I find fascinating is the people opposed to this program no absolutely nothing about the border, our industry down here and will in no way be impacted by the Mexican carriers involved.