The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed a pilot program that will allow some Mexican trucks to operate on U.S. highways beyond the 25-mile border zone to which they currently are confined. The United States has operated a similar pilot program in the past, but opposition from the Teamsters union convinced the union's congressional supporters to defund that program.
In the past, the Teamsters claimed that Mexican trucks were unsafe and posed a threat to the U.S. driving public. In response to the latest pilot program announcement, Teamster President James Hoffa changed the focus of his objections. In a statement, Hoffa charged that allowing Mexican trucks to operate on U.S. highways would bring drug-related violence with it, and hurt American employment.
According to DOT, the program would entail Mexican trucking companies proceeding "through a series of stages prior to issuance of a permanent operating authority," including the initial issuance of a provisional operating authority and various inspections. The proposed pilot program would last for up to three years. At the end of the three years, DOT will report its "findings, conclusions, and recommendations" to Congress, the notice said.
Under the proposal, "participating Mexican carriers and drivers would be required to comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including those concerned with motor carrier safety, customs, immigration, vehicle registration and taxation, and fuel taxation," DOT said.
