posted on July 25, 2001 06:41:18 AM new
I don't know how many of you have any experience of driving in Mexico on their version of highways, but if you do you know that their trucks are accidents waiting to happen in large measure. Their signalling devices don't work, their lights flicker on and off or don't work at all, they run on tires that would be illegal in this country for wear limit excesses, parts fall from them, rocks fly from under them, and they often weave about as though either the driver is drunk or the front end and steering mechanisms are so worn that they can barely be controlled when they are. Mexico has no strict weight limitations and the trucks are often loaded beyond their ratings. There is an abysmal record of safety even by mexican standards, and when they crash they can do horrendous amounts of damage to anything or anyone nearby.
The Bush administration is pushing hard now for these monstrosities to be allowed onto our roads with only a Mexican certification of driver competence, vehicle compliance with safety standards, and with Mexican insurance that in all likelyhood will not pay claims initiated in this country.
This whole thing is folly and will create a very dangerous situation wherever these trucks operate.
There is a simple bill before the senate now which would require only that these trucks meet U.S. safety standards under U.S. inspection, that they purchase insurance from companies licensed to insure in this country, and that they meet the usual weight limits as imposed upon all U.S. trucking.
A little background and a disapointing stand by John McCain:
posted on July 25, 2001 07:02:40 AM newThe Bush administration is pushing hard now for these monstrosities to be allowed onto our roads with only a Mexican certification of driver competence, vehicle compliance with safety standards, and with Mexican insurance that in all likelyhood will not pay claims initiated in this country.
Mexico is a trash heap. Unfortunately, rather than adapt to higher U.S. standards, Mexico would prefer the U.S. become a trash heap too. It's infuriating that Bush is kissing Mexican ass.
posted on July 25, 2001 07:25:31 AM new
He's looking for votes, oil deals, and Catholic sympathies. All under the guise of the NAFTA agreements which he attacked during his campaign for taking American jobs. What's he think he's doing to the U.S. trucking industry with this? Oh, I forgot. They're largely unionized and he doesn't like the unions.
posted on July 25, 2001 01:04:44 PM new
Kissing Mexican butt is right. As usual he's on the wrong side of the border. Selling the US out for all the reasons you gave above.
We have a lot of car auctions here, and you should see what the Mexicans buy to take to Mexico. Car's that should scrapped instead of up on the auction block.
They don't have smog regulations or safety inspections in Mexico. When I was in El Paso I saw those trucks that they want to allow on our highways. They are dangerous, and it doesn't seem like the drivers have any training. It really would hurt our own truckers, most of them are independents. Do you know how much those big rigs cost to buy and maintain? Next time you're on the highway take a look at how beautiful some of them are
posted on July 25, 2001 02:26:11 PM new
I keep jumping up and down screaming that the Bush Administration and the Corporations want to turn back the clock on all of us to the working conditions that prevailed at the start of the Industrial Revolution. They want to make impoverished slaves out of all of us. There ought to be MORE unions, not less of them. Unrestrained Capitalism is a monstrosity no less than unchecked religion is.
posted on July 25, 2001 03:37:08 PM new
At a minimum, 36% of Mexican trucks currently being inspected at US stations are taken off the road due to mechanical infractions. Compare that to 19% Canadian and 2% American. And there currently aren't enough inspection stations and staff to thoroughly inspect ALL the Mexican trucks currently allowed to transport within the current 20 mile border limit. Mexican drivers do not have the same driving time limits that American truckers do. Mexico HATES trade unions. Allowing Mexican trucking companies access to transport within the United States is a recipe for disaster. In lowered wages, accidents, and pollution. The only one to benefit from it will be Mexico. Clinton was definitely inhaling when he approved THIS part of NAFTA. Well he was inhaling when he approved NAFTA period.
posted on July 25, 2001 04:49:46 PM new
If Bush continues to push for letting all the illegal aliens in this country become full citizens, then he has lost any support I ever had for him.
Where I live is a haven for illegal Mexicans. What was once a nice town is now something from your worst nightmare. Homes trashed, appliances, furniture, and cars in the yards. Higher crimer, many more accidents since have the Spanish drivers do not have liscenses. 20-30 of them packed in a single home like sardines. The teachers don't have time for the other students because they are too busy trying to teach the Spanish children English. When I was in the hospital in April, there were 6 Spanish women in the maternity ward, every one of them were having their babies courtesy of the state. They get free medical care and free food.
I am sorry for them, I truly am. They are looking for a better life just like me, but it is off of our backs. Probably not the appropriate thread for this, but I am tired of this and cannot believe Bush would let all if this get by just for a few extra votes. He must be a moron if he can't see that 80% off Americans (according to the polls) disagree with his policies towards Mexico.
posted on July 25, 2001 05:15:43 PM new"There is a simple bill before the senate now which would require only that these trucks meet U.S. safety standards under U.S. inspection, that they purchase insurance from companies licensed to insure in this country, and that they meet the usual weight limits as imposed upon all U.S. trucking."
Well, if they meet U.S. safety standards and inspections are given by U.S. inspectors, and they are not overloaded on the axles or gross weight, then they would be about as safe as U.S. trucks.
The only other factors would be driver training, licensing, experience and the driver's personal safety record.
I used to drive big rigs from coast to coast, border to border. I can tell you that many trucks/trailers can go months without being inspected by State inspectors, so if a problem develops and the driver doesn't catch it, an unsafe rig could conceivably be on the road for months. You've got your U.S. D.O.T. standards, but it's all pretty much handled by the individual states. Each state makes it's own particular laws on axle limits, bridge length, speed limits, etc. I can also tell you that when the D.O.T. does give you an inspection and something does not pass, you're shut down until the problem is fixed. No fooling around. They know what the consequenses of letting an unsafe rig on the road could be.
They are not, no way, no how, going do let Mexican rigs and drivers on U.S. highways unless they are as safe as their U.S. counterparts. That is, unless they are total idiots.
Edited to add: What would really worry me was if the Mexican truck traffic volume was so great that they could only give spot inspections. Come to think of it, that would likely be the case. Now I'm worried.
[ edited by loosecannon on Jul 25, 2001 05:31 PM ]
posted on July 25, 2001 05:32:10 PM new
Right. Then there's the spectre of drug testing. It's required of US drivers, before and during the time they hold their licenses, and testing can be done at random at any time. Who regulates the licensing of Mexican drivers in this country?
posted on July 25, 2001 05:39:52 PM newThey are not, no way, no how, going do let Mexican rigs and drivers on U.S. highways unless they are as safe as their U.S. counterparts. That is, unless they are total idiots.
That's EXACTLY what Bush had in mind right up until a couple of weeks ago. Basically, he wanted to let them transport for UP TO a year and a half PENDING inspections and certifications. So yes, what kind of idiot is THAT?
Who regulates the licensing of Mexican drivers in this country?
Precisely! And who will regulate the amount of time the Mexican drivers are allowed to drive without breaks? Currently, there is no regulations for Mexican drivers in Mexico addressing maximum time. Basically, they can drive as long as they want. Don't forget the low salaries these Mexican drivers are willing to work for. Do we need to put our American truck drivers in competition with this cheap (and unsafe) labor? Talk about Union busters!
posted on July 25, 2001 05:42:51 PM new
Well, I hauled plenty of loads into Canada and I suppose that they depended on the U.S. D.O.T. and the individual trucking companies to do the screening to help insure drug free U.S. drivers in their country.
KatyD
Most of the trucking industry in non-union. Since derugulation during the Reagan years, many U.S. drivers are working for fairly low wages too. A driver just starting out in the industry, if he works himself half to death, can make in the neighborhood of $30K, maybe $35K per year, and that is before the expenses of being out on the road.
If I half-way apply myself, I can make more buying and selling junk, which is what I choose to do.
[ edited by loosecannon on Jul 25, 2001 05:55 PM ]
posted on July 25, 2001 05:44:48 PM new
[i]"that they could only give spot inspections. Come to think of it, that would
likely be the case. Now I'm worried[/i].
Heavy traffic or not, I think that because this is a political ploy there would be administration pressure to let them off on standards that are applied regularly to US trucking. They'd leave an avenue for denial in case of a catastrophe of course. It's not a problem to look the other way, or sign off on things that should be regulated according to law. Happens every day.
