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NAFTA / MEXICAN TRUCKS

Letter To Norm Mineta On Mexican Truck Safety (LC&GO)

Norm Mineta, Secretary
Department of Transportation
400 7th St. NW -- Rm. 10200
Washington, DC 20590

Re: We need to make sure that Mexican trucks coming over the border are safe and carry substantial insurance.

Dear Mr. Mineta:

I am a member of CRASH, a group very concerned about truck safety–because I spend quite a bit of time on the road. I personally have had "close calls" with commercial trucks on the Interstate system. I am very concerned that these will become more dangerous and more numerous.

It's well known that very few Mexican trucks are inspected on either side of the border. Among the problems: Mexican truck drivers, unlike US drivers, have no limit on how long they're allowed to drive, AND the Mexican trucks have a much higher rate of defects, than US trucks, if and when they are inspected. Mexican trucks are also older, which in addition to the negative effect upon safety, also makes them more polluting.

I therefore vigorously urge, on behalf of myself and my family, that:

1. We must have a system to hold Mexican trucking companies FULLY FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE, INCLUDING CARRYING INSURANCE COMMENSURATE WITH LARGE US CARRIERS (to make sure they have full coverage), to reimburse US residents for injuries and other damaged by overworked drivers and unsafe trucks (by virtue of their condition of operation);

2. PROOF of insurance, in force, MUST be on file in the trucking company's application, which should be a public document available for viewing at all border crossings which it's trucks use, in Washington, DC, and on the Internet;

3. Sufficient inspection facilities must be in place on the US side to assure the safety of drivers and trucks that cross the border. All or almost all trucks and drivers need to be checked since a much higher percentage of these trucks and drivers have problems; and

4. A system must be established to deal with driver and truck safety violations occurring in this country.

Until such time as the above 4 items are fully dealt with, entry of Mexican trucks and drivers MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY RESTRICTED.

NAFTA was supposed to the well being of Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. citizens. It MUST NOT result in more dangerous drivers and commercial trucks allowed willy-nilly on our roads.

Please keep me and my family informed of the progress made in assuring the safety of Mexican trucks.

Very truly yours,

A CRASH Member.