Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
sent this:
i am contacting you today as an American truck driver concerned about NAFTA and Mexican trucks. As you know there will soon be allowed into America, Mexican drivers and their trucks. These trucks are not controlled by the American EPA, the DOT, Hours of Service rules or other regulatory agencies. They will be allowed to come over the border if they have the correct documentation.
There is true concern about the lack of background checks for these individuals. Criminals should not be allowed commercial drivers liceses but Mexico has no DOT style laws to enforce background checks.
These trucks may be older more polluting than trucks that American truck drivers are more and more needing to drive. Laws being passed on the west coast require newer engines in the congested container shipyards.
These trucks are not required to pass DOT inspection like American trucks. I have read of one Mexican driver sent home because during a traffic stop his tires were discovered to be almost bald, the brakes failing and other mechanical maladies.
The U.S. Government puts a lot of pressure on the American trucking industry to have safe vehicles. NAFTA does not have that kind of system in place for Mexican truckers. Canadian truckers have close to the same laws to follow as American but Mexico plays fast and loose and imposes almost no regulation on their industry.
I urge you to re-visit NAFTA regarding Mexican trucking and hold Mexican truckers to the same laws and inspections as their American and Canadian counter parts.
If we want to keep America safe we have to know who is coming in and what they bring to the table.
got this back:
Dear Mr. Berry:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding
Mexican trucks on American highways. I value the
correspondence I get from people back home in Wisconsin and
would like to take this opportunity to address your concerns.
As you may know, the U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT) recently announced that the United States and Mexico are
beginning a cross-border trucking pilot program. The DOT is
planning a year-long program that will allow up to 100 Mexican
trucking companies to deliver goods beyond predetermined
commercial zones.
The FY2002 Department of Transportation Appropriations
bill included a series of safety requirements that were required
before Mexican carriers were allowed to operate beyond the border
commercial zone. This bill included a total of $103 million for
border inspection facilities, safety inspections staffing, and safety
activities. I voted in favor of this bill when it was considered by
the Senate on December 4, 2001. It passed in the Senate by a vote
of 97-2 and was signed into law by President Bush on December
18, 2001.
On March 8, 2007, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies held a hearing on this issue. I believe it is of the utmost
importance to ensure that an efficient shipping system does not put
the safety of our nation's highway users at risk. I plan to review
Department of Transportation's pilot project with a focus on both
safety and efficiency.
so, huh.
got this from the other senator. a little more information:
January 31, 2008
Mr. Jack Berry
609 Blaine Avenue
Racine, WI 53405-2424
Dear Jack:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns
about the Department of Transportation's pilot program that
seeks to expand cross-border trucking operations with Mexico,
specifically with your concerns with the leadership of Secretary
Mary Peters. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know
your thoughts on this important issue.
As you may know, 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. It is important to note that DOT has already put
into place a rigorous safety inspection program for Mexican
trucking companies wishing to participate in the program
which requires U.S. inspectors to conduct in-person safety
audits to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations and
standards. In addition, all Mexican trucks entering into the
U.S. will continue to be screened and inspected at the border,
and Mexican truck drivers will be required to possess valid
licensing including a commercial drivers license (CDL) and
medical certification of fitness. They must also comply with
U.S. hours-of-service rules, show proof of competency in
English, and display insurance from a U.S. licensed firm.
I certainly understand your concerns about the
consequences of not fully enforcing the new inspection and
safety regulations implemented by the DOT. Because of these
concerns, when the Safe American Roads Act of 2007, which
would limit the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to
grant authority to motor carriers domiciled in Mexico to
operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial
zones on the United States-Mexico border, I voted in favor of
this bill.
In the meantime, you can also receive regular updates
on what is happening in Congress and the 1st District delivered
directly to your e-mail inbox by signing up for my Instant
News Updates. To receive the updates, visit my website at
Welcome to Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District and click on the Instant News
Updates graphic on the right side of the screen for this free
service.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If I can be of
further assistance to you regarding this or any other matter,
please do not hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to
respond and be of service to you.
Sincerely,
Paul Ryan
Serving Wisconsin's 1st District
comments?
i am contacting you today as an American truck driver concerned about NAFTA and Mexican trucks. As you know there will soon be allowed into America, Mexican drivers and their trucks. These trucks are not controlled by the American EPA, the DOT, Hours of Service rules or other regulatory agencies. They will be allowed to come over the border if they have the correct documentation.
There is true concern about the lack of background checks for these individuals. Criminals should not be allowed commercial drivers liceses but Mexico has no DOT style laws to enforce background checks.
These trucks may be older more polluting than trucks that American truck drivers are more and more needing to drive. Laws being passed on the west coast require newer engines in the congested container shipyards.
These trucks are not required to pass DOT inspection like American trucks. I have read of one Mexican driver sent home because during a traffic stop his tires were discovered to be almost bald, the brakes failing and other mechanical maladies.
The U.S. Government puts a lot of pressure on the American trucking industry to have safe vehicles. NAFTA does not have that kind of system in place for Mexican truckers. Canadian truckers have close to the same laws to follow as American but Mexico plays fast and loose and imposes almost no regulation on their industry.
I urge you to re-visit NAFTA regarding Mexican trucking and hold Mexican truckers to the same laws and inspections as their American and Canadian counter parts.
If we want to keep America safe we have to know who is coming in and what they bring to the table.
got this back:
Dear Mr. Berry:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding
Mexican trucks on American highways. I value the
correspondence I get from people back home in Wisconsin and
would like to take this opportunity to address your concerns.
As you may know, the U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT) recently announced that the United States and Mexico are
beginning a cross-border trucking pilot program. The DOT is
planning a year-long program that will allow up to 100 Mexican
trucking companies to deliver goods beyond predetermined
commercial zones.
The FY2002 Department of Transportation Appropriations
bill included a series of safety requirements that were required
before Mexican carriers were allowed to operate beyond the border
commercial zone. This bill included a total of $103 million for
border inspection facilities, safety inspections staffing, and safety
activities. I voted in favor of this bill when it was considered by
the Senate on December 4, 2001. It passed in the Senate by a vote
of 97-2 and was signed into law by President Bush on December
18, 2001.
On March 8, 2007, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related
Agencies held a hearing on this issue. I believe it is of the utmost
importance to ensure that an efficient shipping system does not put
the safety of our nation's highway users at risk. I plan to review
Department of Transportation's pilot project with a focus on both
safety and efficiency.
so, huh.
got this from the other senator. a little more information:
January 31, 2008
Mr. Jack Berry
609 Blaine Avenue
Racine, WI 53405-2424
Dear Jack:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns
about the Department of Transportation's pilot program that
seeks to expand cross-border trucking operations with Mexico,
specifically with your concerns with the leadership of Secretary
Mary Peters. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know
your thoughts on this important issue.
As you may know, 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. It is important to note that DOT has already put
into place a rigorous safety inspection program for Mexican
trucking companies wishing to participate in the program
which requires U.S. inspectors to conduct in-person safety
audits to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations and
standards. In addition, all Mexican trucks entering into the
U.S. will continue to be screened and inspected at the border,
and Mexican truck drivers will be required to possess valid
licensing including a commercial drivers license (CDL) and
medical certification of fitness. They must also comply with
U.S. hours-of-service rules, show proof of competency in
English, and display insurance from a U.S. licensed firm.
I certainly understand your concerns about the
consequences of not fully enforcing the new inspection and
safety regulations implemented by the DOT. Because of these
concerns, when the Safe American Roads Act of 2007, which
would limit the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to
grant authority to motor carriers domiciled in Mexico to
operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial
zones on the United States-Mexico border, I voted in favor of
this bill.
In the meantime, you can also receive regular updates
on what is happening in Congress and the 1st District delivered
directly to your e-mail inbox by signing up for my Instant
News Updates. To receive the updates, visit my website at
Welcome to Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District and click on the Instant News
Updates graphic on the right side of the screen for this free
service.
Again, thank you for contacting me. If I can be of
further assistance to you regarding this or any other matter,
please do not hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to
respond and be of service to you.
Sincerely,
Paul Ryan
Serving Wisconsin's 1st District
comments?
Last edited:
