Posted on 08/20/2007 2:47:47 AM PDT by djf
WASHINGTON: Some Mexican trucks will be allowed to carry cargo anywhere in the United States as soon as a U.S. inspector general certifies safety and inspection plans, the administration of President George W. Bush announced Friday. The latest step toward implementing a controversial provision of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement drew instant condemnation from labor and driver-owner groups that fear the program will erode highway safety and eliminate U.S. jobs. The decision was announced by a Transportation Department notice in the Federal Register, a daily compendium of new federal rules read mostly by lobbyists and lawyers. A one-year demonstration project allowing 100 Mexican motor carriers full access to U.S. roads will begin as soon as the department's inspector general certifies that safety and inspection plans and facilities are sufficient to ensure the Mexican trucks are at least as safe as U.S. trucks. That requirement was imposed by Congress. Mexican trucks are now confined to commercial zones within about 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) of the border. The inspector general's report to Congress is expected soon. Teamster Union president Jim Hoffa questioned the timing — during Congress' August recess — of the administration's decision "to move forward with its hugely unpopular program to throw open our borders to unsafe Mexican trucks." Hoffa noted that the U.S. House of Representatives voted last month to cut off funding for the program but that the Senate has yet to vote. The Transportation Department concluded the demonstration, involving about 10 percent of the Mexican truckers who applied, "is sufficient to determine whether the safety oversight program" can ensure there will be no erosion of highway safety.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
They gotta have an Angel with Deeeeeeep Pockets backing them don’t they. Now....whom would that be?”
I’m cheating because you already gave me the answer, drug cartels. Wonder too if our beloved US government hasn’t dropped some coins in this crusade as well.
You know, I like Bush and he has done some good things as President and surely had to be better than Kerry, but this is pure idiocy. How can he sit in the WH and even pretend to care about the security of this nation and think he has any credibility in the WOT when he is all for ignorance like this and Shamnesty?
Americans will likely do as they have ever done and sit idly and apathetically by, engaged in polls and popularity contests, swallowing the same old swill and trusting business as usual until the last vestiges of American sovereignty pass them by in a Peterbilt de Atzlan.
I have no explanation nor even a theory as to why we continue to allow ourselves to be screwed, as you termed it.
At some point you have to consider that we either like getting screwed, enjoy complaining about getting screwed or are unable to discern the difference. :)
“And no, I do not consider Fred to be outside of the “insiders”.”
Hell NO he’s not! As a member of CFR, he’s sitting with the group who design the NAU.
Think Tank... MY ASS!
There goes all the potential Reagan Democrats in the next election.
BTW, where's the howlings of the Teamsters Union leadership? I hear nothing but silencio.
Does anyone REALLY realize how completely this Administration is destroying us politically....and economically?
Leni
free hospital care, Social Security, our school system, unemployment and the list keeps growing.
I remember reading about this a while ago. I really am not going to jump into the chicken little hysteria group about it. The teamsters are upset because they are the ones who are losing out on transporting this stuff — if you believe it is anything more than that on their end then I have a bridge to sell you (like they give a flying fig about safety).
These aren’t box trucks, they are tractor trailers from large Mexican businesses. They will be subject to a heightened level of scrutiny entering our country. Their equipment inspected more so than American rigs are.
Canada’s rigs cross our borders 24/7, this is no different.
The next time you look up and see a “big rig” in your rear view mirror, think of this:
1. The Driver is untrained, unqualified and does not meet American safety standards.
2. the driver does not speak, read or write English.
3. The drivers hours of service are not enforced. He has probably been driving since he left Mexico.
4. His truck is not in compliance with U. S. DOT requirements.
5. The driver has not clue about U. S. traffic rules.
6. The truck is probably uninsured.
7. The driver is working for a third of the wages an American driver would command.
8. there goes the efficient distribution system that made America the greatest nation in the world.
0. there go thousands more high paying jobs south.
10. thank you Mr. Bush.
Canadians cross the border every day.
But I’m havin trouble remembering the last time they murdered three American students in Newark, execution style.
“Canada’s rigs cross our borders 24/7, this is no different”
There is no way to make any kind of comparison between Canada and that rathole country called Mexico.Canadian drivers at least have the ability to drive safely. I don’t think a Mexican has the coordination to ride a bicycle without running into something.
If the government is going through all of the trouble and expense to build them a super-highway all the way across America, then I think there is about a .000000000001% chance that anything like that will ever take place.
Great! Third world drivers on our roads. Mexicans already kill thousands of Americans on our roads each year. Why not double it? Not to mention all the illegals who will sneak in on these trucks. Real bright plan El Jefe.
They’re already throughout Texas and the southwest. I met a couple of truckers in Southwest Arkansas who needed a tire on their big rig. Nice guys, but not a word of English could they speak. That was a couple of months ago.
Cross Border Truck Safety Inspection Program
News
DOT 21-07
Friday, February 23, 2007
Contact: Sarah Echols
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
New Program to Allow U.S. Trucks into Mexico for the First Time Ever,
Change Way Some Mexican Trucks Operate Within the United States
El Paso, Texas – U.S. trucks will for the first time be allowed to make deliveries in Mexico under a year-long pilot program that expands cross border trucking operations with Mexico, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today during a visit to truck inspection facilities in El Paso, Texas.
U.S. trucks will get to make deliveries into Mexico while a select group of Mexican trucking companies will be allowed to make deliveries beyond the 20-25 mile commercial zones currently in place along the Southwest border.
Secretary Peters said the new demonstration program was designed to simplify a process that currently requires Mexican truckers to stop and wait for U.S. trucks to arrive and transfer cargo. She said this process wastes money, drives up the cost of goods, and leaves trucks loaded with cargo idling inside U.S. borders. The Secretary added that under current rules, U.S. trucks are not allowed into Mexico because the United States refused to implement provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement that would have permitted safe cross-border trucking.
“The United States has never shied away from opportunities to compete, to open new markets and to trade with the world. Now that safety and security programs are in place, the time has come for us to move forward on this longstanding promise with Mexico,” Secretary Peters said.
“We are committed to retaining a high level of security and safety standards under this program,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “The tough security measures we already have in place will remain unchanged, resulting in a smart and secure approach to safeguarding the border, while allowing for American and Mexican carriers to deliver cargo outside of arbitrary commercial zones.”
“Today’s announcement is another sign of the strength of the U.S.-Mexico relationship and a further step towards making our economies globally competitive, promoting mutual economic growth and prosperity while continuing to protect the safety of our borders,” said Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez.
“Safety is the number one priority and strict U.S. safety standards won’t change,” Secretary Gutierrez continued. “We will continue to work closely with President Calderon and his administration on ways we can further enhance the commerce of our countries and the competitiveness of our hemisphere without sacrificing safety or security.”
Secretary Peters noted that the Department of Transportation has put in place a rigorous inspection program to ensure the safe operation of Mexican trucks crossing the border. Yesterday, Peters and Mexican Secretary of Communications and Transportation Luis Téllez announced a program to have U.S. inspectors conduct in-person safety audits to make sure that participating Mexican companies comply with U.S. safety regulations. The regulations require all Mexican truck drivers to hold a valid commercial drivers license, carry proof they are medically fit, comply with all U.S. hours-of-service rules and be able to understand questions and directions in English.
Secretary Peters said those Mexican truck companies that may be allowed to participate in the one-year program will all be required to have insurance with a U.S. licensed firm and meet all U.S. safety standards. Companies that meet these standards will be allowed to make international pick up and deliveries only and will not be able to move goods from one U.S. city for delivery to another, haul hazardous materials or transport passengers.
The first Mexican trucks to be authorized under the program will begin traveling beyond U.S. border areas once the initial in-person safety inspections are done and proof-of-insurance verified. Secretary Peters noted that with the announcement of the program, Mexico will begin to consider applications from U.S. trucking firms for licensing rights to operate within Mexico. Approximately 100 U.S. operators would be licensed by Mexico for cross-border operations.
In 2001, Congress authorized the cross border inspection program and listed 22 safety requirements that had to be in place before other steps were implemented. The Secretary noted that the Department’s independent Inspector General’s reports have confirmed success in meeting the congressional requirements. In addition, Secretary Peters said the Department has invested $500 million since 1995 to modernize border safety facilities and hire and train the over 500 federal and state inspectors who inspect trucks crossing the border every day.
“We have years of experience, we have a rigorous safety inspection plan in place and we have the facilities and the trained professionals to carry it out,” Secretary Peters said. “Through this new pilot program, we are finding a better way to do business with one of this nation’s largest trading partners, and in doing so, bringing U.S. drivers more opportunity, U.S. consumers more buying power and the U.S. economy even more momentum,” she added.
http://www.dot.gov/affairs/cbtsip/dot2107.htm
Strict oversight and rigs inspected rigorously resuling in lower costs to the consumer? Yeah who wants that.
Allowing them to cross the border and sit there until the teamsters show up to unload/load and transport them is the way to go and who cares how much that is costing the consumer.
Of course American truck companies all have impeccable driving standards:
“18 wheels and countless dangers
Trucking companies often put non-English speakers, felons, addicts in driver’s seat, but rarely take blame in fatal crashes
01:31 AM CDT on Sunday, September 17, 2006
By GREGG JONES, HOLLY BECKA, JENNIFER LaFLEUR and STEVE McGONIGLE / The Dallas Morning News
SMILEY N. POOL/DMN
Traffic moves along State Highway 114 near Paradise. On this stretch of road, Kim Hughes, Shiloh Hughes, Afton Hughes Royse and Joyce Watkins were killed in an accident involving a gravel truck in December of 2002. First of three parts
On a sunny December afternoon, Kim Hughes turned onto State Highway 114 in Wise County and headed west toward home in Paradise. Christmas was eight days away. Four generations were crammed into her GMC Yukon after a morning of holiday shopping.
In the cab of an 18-wheeler leased to TXI Transportation Co., Ricardo Rodriguez drove east on Highway 114, riding herd on 73,000 pounds of truck and a trailerload of sand. An illegal immigrant from Mexico, Mr. Rodriguez had used a fake Social Security number to get a Texas commercial driver’s license six years earlier. He had found steady work around North Texas driving rock trucks and other 18-wheelers, his history of immigration arrests and truck safety violations ignored or overlooked.”
As anyone who has driven within the midst of inclement weather toward the George Washington Bridge alongside these rigs who-are-desperate-to-get-there-before-the-bridge-is-closed-to-them-due-to-wind-conditions can tell you, they all can be quite dangerous.
Hysteria because Mexican companies are involved is just not warranted.
They already cross our borders (25 miles into it) and then sit at loading areas. They will be subjected to intense insections and oversight.
These companies are not going to risk losing their access to the US by selling space to illegals (which will net them how much compared to their transport industry?!!). Come on, use some common sense here.
The number one economic driving force of the Mexican economy is illegal activity in the US. This is well known, well documented, and well accepted. I’m not sure what you think they are going to start exporting across the border that they can’t already legally ship now. This will increase their main economic activity in this country, which is criminal under our laws.
US/Mexico trade in 2006 was over $300 billion. But these “corrupt” companies are going to risk their piece to that by selling space on their rigs to illegal aliens.
$300 billion in trade in 2006 alone. Come on.
Things will only get busier: The Chamber of Commerce noted that under NAFTA, trade with Mexico has nearly quadrupled — from $81 billion in 1993 to $332 billion in 2006.
The Chamber argued that trucking is vital to the two countries’ trade partnership.
Likewise, the National Industrial Transportation League (a trade group representing companies that move their products by truck) said the pilot project should go forward.
John Ficker, the group’s president and CEO, told the Senate panel that cross-border trucking is “essential to the growing economies of both countries.” He said the pilot project will ensure a safe and efficient transportation system capable of meeting the projected growth in freight movement between the U.S. and Mexico.
He also noted that the U.S. Transportation Department has met all the mandated Congressional requirements to allow safe Mexican trucking companies access to US markets. “These requirements are as stringent as those applied to US-based trucking companies,” Ficker said.
Transportation Secretary Peters said the United States has never shied away from opportunities to compete, open new markets and trade with the world.
“Now that safety and security programs are in place, the time has come for us to move forward on this longstanding promise with Mexico,” Peters said in El Paso. She also noted that in response to the U.S. pilot project, the Mexican government has agreed to let U.S. trucks ferry cargo into Mexico.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says the Bush administration is “committed to retaining a high level of security and safety standards under this program.
He said the “tough security measures” already in place will remain unchanged.
“Safety is the number one priority and strict U.S. safety standards won’t change,” Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said.
Mexican trucks traveling on U.S. highways will not be allowed to carry hazardous materials.
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200703/NAT20070323d.html
No wonder the teamsters are so upset, they are losing out on some serious money here. That money however will go back into the consumers’ pockets in lower prices on these goods.
God forbid that happens. I am sure Hillary will save the teamsters in the name of “border security.”
The very way you put a quote around “border security” tells me you think it is a joke and the well being of your fellow Americans isn’t as important to you as the size of your wallet.
So why don’t you straight up tell us what is your piece of the action for selling out American truckers and endangering American families on the freeways?
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