PolitiTruck

Status - Largely Unknown? 

Have you wondered what’s happened with the NAFTA initiated Mexican Trucking Demonstration Program lately?  Me Too!

Unfortunately, there isn’t much new to report on this subject because the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has not been updating its web site and is apparently reluctant to respond to inquiries on the subject.  However, they do appear committed to implementing the program as a part of NAFTA.

Here’s a basic overview of where things are and have been:

• At the time of this writing, the FMCSA Web Site, indicates that there are 5 Mexican Carriers authorized to roll into the heart of the US, and 3 US carriers to roll into Mexico.

• Interestingly, on August 6^th, I received an update from the FMCSA indicating that 36 Mexican carriers had passed the PASA (this is the equivalent of a DOT Audit), 13 failed and 82 withdrew.  Those 36 carriers have approximately 170 vehicles total.

• One question I have asked of the FMCSA, without response, is how the carriers go from passing PASA to being authorized to actually start rolling.  I, and others, are left to wonder.

• In September the US Senate followed the lead of the US House and overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the Transportation Appropriations Bill that would de-fund the program.

• The FMCSA Administrator John H. Hill offered the following comment in reaction to this, “Tonight’s decision by the Senate is a sad victory for the politics of fear and protectionism and a disappointing defeat for U.S. consumers and U.S. truck drivers.  This decision robs consumers of significant new savings, deprives drivers of new opportunities to compete in Mexico and squanders millions in taxpayer dollars Congress has spent to put in place a sophisticated safety network for border crossings.”

• In reaction to safety concerns, the FMCSA and Mexican government announced they would work jointly to track the trucks in this program via satellite.

• The House and Senate now have until mid November to get together in a Joint Conference Committee to pass the Transportation and HUD Appropriations Bill (S. 1789 / H.R. 3074).  As of this writing the committee is not yet scheduled to meet because the House has not named its conferees.

So, what does this mean?

It means that the NAFTA initiated Mexican Truck Demonstration (or Pilot) Program continues to move forward.  Where we stand right now is very unclear though because the FMCSA declines to comment on the simplest of inquiries.

Why do you think this is?

For additional information on the Mexican Trucking Program, visit our sister site.

October 3, 2007

In keeping with its primary role of promoting safety, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration unveiled a public service announcement featuring former NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace, currently an analyst for ESPN and ABC Sports, who reminds truckers that they have a responsibility to drive safely and buckle up. The PSA, Be Buckled. Be Ready., is aimed at increasing the number of truckers who regularly use a safety belt.

“This ad reminds truckers that, as professional drivers, they are responsible for handling their vehicles and themselves in the safest manner possible,” FMCSA Administrator John H. Hill said. “With just a little bit of his time, Mr. Wallace’s personal commitment to promoting public safety is helping save lives on America’s highways.”

While 81 percent of the general driving population wears a safety belt, only 59 percent of commercial vehicle drivers buckle up when they climb behind the wheel. In 2006, 45 percent of truckers killed in a crash were not wearing safety belts. FMCSA regulations require all commercial vehicle drivers to use proper restraints.

In the PSA, Wallace tells truck drivers that “[they’re] the ones who drive… for a living,” and encourages them to wear a safety belt to keep them “in position, behind the wheel, in control, looking out for [themselves] and everybody else.”

There was no mention of how the FMCSA might track the effectiveness of the PSA.