Cross Border Truck Safety Inspection Program

Cross Border Truck Safety Inspection Program

Posted on Aug 30, 2007 in Opinions by PMC Comments Off

All 22 Congressional Safety Mandates Have Been Met

Further proof that the Teamster’s and other groups who have filed for an “emergency” injunctions, their arguments have absolutely no merit.!

The are the additional 22 points which the opposition is whining about being ignored and subject to an additional review by FMCSA-OIG. As you can see, most of these 22 requirements do not have a direct impact on the safe operation of a Mexican motor carrier, and as such, using this as an argument is nothing more than a delaying tactic.

The 22 items in dispute are.

1. Establish mandatory pre-authority safety audits   DONE
2. Conduct at least 50 percent of the safety audits on-site in Mexico 100% DONE IN MEXICO
3. Issue permanent operating authority only to Mexican trucking companies who pass safety compliance review  IN COMPLIANCE
4. Conduct at least 50 percent of the compliance reviews on-site in Mexico – including any who did not receive an on-site pre-authority audit 100% DONE IN MEXICO
5. Check the validity of the driver’s license every time a truck crosses the border CBP HAS DONE THIS FOR YEARS
6. Assign Mexican truck companies a distinct DOT number DONE
7. Inspect all trucks from Mexico that do not display a current CVSA decal THIS IS AMBIGUOUS. ALL TRUCKS PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT PROGRAM ARE INSPECTED AND ISSUED A CVSA STICKER IF APPLICABLE
8. Have state inspectors in the border states report any violations of safety regulations by trucks from Mexico to U.S. federal authorities DONE AS THE 52nd STATE SYSTEM
9. Equip all U.S.-Mexico commercial border crossings with weight scales – including weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems at 5 of the 10 busiest crossings DONE
10. Study the need for weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems at all other border crossings DONE
11. Collect proof of insurance by a U.S. certified insurance carrier from Mexican companies who want to operate beyond the border zone DONE AS PART OF THE PASA.
12. Limit trucks from Mexico operating beyond the border zone to cross the border only where a certified federal or state inspector is on duty DONE, IT IS THE RULE
13. Limit trucks from Mexico operating beyond the border zone to cross the border only where there is capacity to conduct inspections and park out of service vehicles DONE
14. Ensure compliance of all U.S. safety regulations by Mexican operators who wish to go beyond border zones DONE AND IN THE SAME MANNER AS U.S. AND CANADIAN TRUCKS ARE CHECKED FOR COMPLIANCE
15. Improve training and certification for border inspectors and auditors  DONE
16. Study needed staffing along the border  DONE
17. Prohibit Mexican trucking companies from leasing vehicles from other companies when they are suspended, restricted, or limited from their right to operate in the United States. DONE AND ENFORCED
18. Forbid foreign motor carriers from operating in the United States if they have been found to have operated illegally in the United States  DONE AS PART OF THE PASA
19. Work with all state inspectors to take enforcement action or notify U.S. DOT authorities when they discover safety violations DONE AS PART OF THE 52nd STATE SYSTEM
20. Apply the same U.S. hazardous materials driver requirements to drivers from Mexico hauling hazardous materials NOT APPLICABLE AS PARTICPANTS NOT PERMITTED TO HAUL HAZ MAT
21. Provide $54 million in Border Infrastructure Grants for border improvements and construction DONE
22. Conduct a comprehensive Inspector General’s review – to be certified by the Secretary – that determines if border operations meet requirements DONE, DONE AND DONE!!!