IDOT’s Mexican trucking proposal
draws ire of US truckers
Friday, January 07, 2011
By Jim Kouri
NWV News Director
Montana — Mexican Driver in US a few mounths. Takes a wrong turn and drives truck over 55 mph in a corn field, getting stuck on tracks.
|
When
the U.S. Department of Transportation's revealed its plans for opening
American roads to Mexican
trucking companies, the proposal met with the ire of U.S. truck
drivers.
"With
so much focus in Washington on creating jobs, it's a bit shocking that
the administration would pursue a program that can only rob U.S. drivers
of their jobs," said Todd Spencer, Executive Vice President of
the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, in a statement released
on Thursday.
"While
we appreciate that the administration is proposing to allow Congress
and the public to weigh in on a future trucking program with Mexico,
they seem to be missing the main issue at hand," continued Spencer.
"The onus is upon Mexico to raise their regulatory standards, not
on the U.S. to lower ours to accommodate their trucking industry."
The
federal
government promises a 37-point inspection for the Mexican trucks,
and personal interviews with drivers, but only for the pilot program.
After that, it's back to random checks. But after the pilot program
is terminated experts are sure questionable trucks and sketchy wheelmen
will slip through the cracks.
American
truckers believe that to ensure the safety and security of U.S. citizens,
Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and truck drivers must be required
to comply with the same level of safety, security and environmental
standards that apply to their U.S.-based companies and drivers, not
only while they are operating in the U.S., but also in their home country.
To date, Mexico has failed to institute regulations and enforcement
programs that are even slightly similar to those in the United States,
according to the OOIDA.
"Mexico
has been bullying our government into allowing their trucking companies
to have full access to highways across the U.S. while refusing to raise
regulatory standards in its own trucking industry," Spencer pointed
out in a press statement. "Mexico's regulatory standards aren't
even remotely equivalent to what we have in the U.S."
"Every
year, U.S. truckers are burdened with new safety, security and environmental
regulations. Those regulations come with considerable compliance costs,"
said Spencer. "Mexico-domiciled trucking companies do not contend
with a similar regime nor must they contend with the corresponding costs."
In
addition, once Mexican companies are allowed access to U.S. highways
and roads, they will possess an unfair advantage: Mexico's licensed
truck drivers are paid lower wages while the companies enjoy freedom
from the restrictions, taxes, regulatory costs and other expenses hoisted
on American trucking companies and truckers.
OOIDA
notes that the primary objective of NAFTA
is to ensure the North American nations enjoy the prosperity that would
result from the free flow of goods across borders. In order to achieve
this end, the agreement seeks to ensure that each country affords the
others access to economic opportunity.
However,
OOIDA officials contend that under current conditions in Mexico there
is little opportunity or willingness on the part of U.S. truckers to
compete there.
"Until
the Mexican government is able to significantly diminish the rampant
crime and violence within its borders, commits to addressing its deteriorated
infrastructure, and promulgates regulations that significantly improve
its trucking industry, U.S. truckers will be unable to benefit from
the anticipated reciprocity," said Spencer.
"If
a new cross-border trucking program were implemented in the near future,
U.S. truckers would be forced to forfeit their own economic opportunities
while companies and drivers from Mexico, free from equivalent regulatory
burdens, take over their traffic lanes."
Also,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department
of Transportation promulgated the first national standards to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions and improve fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses.
This comprehensive national program is projected to reduce GHG emissions
by nearly 250 million metric tons and save 500 million barrels of oil
over the lives of the vehicles produced within the program’s first
five years. However, there is no mention of foreign trucks and buses
being compelled to adhere to these standards.
MEXICO'S
CRIMINAL TRUCK DRIVERS
The
North
American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, was passed by the Democrats
and Republicans in both the House and the Senate and signed into law
by President Bill Clinton with the promise it would allow goods and
services to flow more freely between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Unfortunately,
many of the goods entering America from Canada are illegal drugs, the
trafficking of which was made easier by the trade pact.
With
a billion dollars worth of cargo crossing the U.S.-Mexico border every
day, free trade is one of the greatest gifts for drug traffickers, say
NAFTA opponents.
Many
of the illegal drugs that make their way into the U.S. from Mexico are
brought across the border in plain sight, in the form of commercial
vehicles. Customs agents charged with inspecting those vehicles are
overwhelmed at the border, according to a veteran law enforcement officer,
Stephen Rodger.
"I'm
told by fellow cops that since NAFTA passed over 16 years ago, truck
traffic through Laredo, Texas alone has tripled," said Lt. Rodger
This
past fiscal year, 4.7 million commercial vehicles have crossed into
America from Mexico. Only one in five of those vehicles is stopped and
checked. Even with such a low inspection rate, thus far in the year,
inspection agents have already seized 96 tons of marijuana.
Some
Mexican trucker drivers are forced to participate, while others are
paid to smuggle the drugs. Apparently, Mexico’s drug cartels have
infiltrated trucking companies and manufacturing facilities across Mexico,
according to law enforcement sources.
Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com. He's also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri's own website is located at jimkouri.us
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or
payment to those who have expressed prior interest in receiving this
information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For further information please refer to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
|
