Is the DOT Finally Cracking Down on Mexican Trucks?
One day a few weeks ago, a whole bunch of shiny black cars, SUVS, and trucks appeared in our small-desolate town. You may know them as DOT (pronounced Dee O Tee)….get it? They started going up and down the Interstate, hiding behind small hills in the medium, and turning off all their lights at night time while sitting on the side of the road. Shortly after this happened, truck drivers were gettin’ pulled over left and right (literally, to the left or right)….BAHAHA…I slay myself. Anyways, there are many speculations as to what’s going on and I’ve heard 2 stories. One: They were sent here by the government to help with the whole border issue. Supposedly, they were given a grant to do this and will be here 1 to 2 years but nobody around here knows the truth behind it. Two: They are to get money by giving out enough tickets to raise one million dollars in revenue.
I’m here to tell ya what it really is about. Well…..at least in my opinion.
It’s all part of the NAFTA agreement and the Mexican Truck Pilot Program. Basically, Bush signed the papers allowing the opening of the Mexican highways coming into the United States a while back. Before this was allowed, Mexican truck drivers would drive to the border where American drivers would take over and carry the load to the final destination.
Now that it’s allowed, Mexican drivers can come across the border and drive their trucks to the full delivery destination. So what does the DOT being here have to do with this? I’m not 100% for sure but I feel like this is a protection of sorts. They are pulling over every truck driver (mainly Mexican trucks) they can in order to find all the faults. Whether that be someone sneaked through illegally or missing tail lights, etc. It’s finally being recognized that this is a bad idea to let Mexican trucks cross over and maybe, by the DOT reporting every fault, they are accumulating proof to set on the President’s desk and say that it is a bad idea, stop it!
By opening border crossing to Mexican truck drivers, this is a blatant disregard for America’s safety. Not only is it a terrorist risk, it’s also a risk of increased importation of guns & other environmental, safety hazards. Mexican trucks don’t have to meet the same standards as our trucks do. The lack of safety has caused numerous accidents and even deaths. This also puts the American workers at risk.
There really is so much more to be said but I’m not gonna go there. I just thought I would clue people in on what’s going around here.
I believe both Obama and Clinton have stated that they are against the opening of the US borders to Mexican trucks….just a little FYI for ya in case you find this an important issue.
So what do you think about the opening of the borders to the Mexican trucks? Do you think the DOT are finally cracking down and inspecting as many trucks as possible, in an attempt, to fight this pilot program law?
I am not sure how I feel. In some ways I think they are working to feed their families and in other ways they need to go back to how it was before. We get Mexican guys driving cars hooked to other cars loaded with stuff that they are taking back to Mexico on our interstate. They drive like 55 in a 70 and cause all kinds of trouble. But they too are just trying to make a living. So, I am torn. But it is exciting to see all the DOTs!!! Kinda of like Men in Black!! LOL!!
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I’m all for closing the borders. Yes, I know some of these people are just trying to make a living, but they are still breaking the law. The whole immigration issue really gets my fur ruffled.
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I read your post after seeing it on PPP.
Excellent words!
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Hmmm…I’m far away from the border (well not Canada) and so I’ve never thought about this. I’m removed from it. Good points. I guess it makes me uncomforable to know that trucks with different standards are crossing our borders with the risk of terrorism I think this is scary. I just don’t think it’s worth the risk. Thanks for opening my eyes to this.
NAFTA friggin sucks! I have hated the idea of NAFTA since I heard about it! I used to co-own a business where we had large trucks. We didn’t travel far but none the less it sure was felt by anyone who had a truck on the road at any time. The laws have gotten so strict for those of us who try to do the right thing but then helps those who don’t.
Hi Lori,
I am Annie from India. I somehow got link of your blog. You are simply amazing in blogging….Keep that up!!!
Take care,
Ann
Hey Annie once again…..forgot to ask you 1 more thing…….I read somewhere you have Indian blood……how? I am curious :) Any link to India? :)
Take care,
Ann
I live in Texas but not near the border. The idea of trucks coming in that do not have our standards of safety really gets me. I know they are trying to make a living, and we allow Canadian trucks in, but when they do not adhere to the safety issues it is a major problem. Our truckers fall asleep at the wheel and all even with the safety standards, how many more problems will this cause if they have no rules to follow?
I believe all trucks coming in should be searched. Immigration can be violated through any truck.
Now, I want to also say I have taught ESL to Mexicans. Many illegals. They were all hard working, wonderful people. I love the Mexicans I have had in my classes, but I also know we need to protect the borders. After 911 we see what our lack of protection can cause.
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Hi Lori,
I am willing to have my input on this because I used to drive a truck to the border towns. My loads went into Mexico and, as you said, the trucks could not cross the borders.
I have seen those inspections when the DOT was really getting down on the truckers. Of course, when I was out there, the borders were closed.
Yes, I realize that those Mexican truckers need the work. They are really poor in Mexico. I have been there on a missions trip some years ago. It’s like stepping back in time there in the mountains.
Nevertheless, this is not the way to deal with it. It was an invitation to bring in illegals and illegal substances. I suspect it will cost way more to patrol the borders now than before. As to what they are actually doing…no idea. But it sounds like a crackdown similar to one I had seen in Arizona at Nogales once.
I am totally against the borders being open like this. Thanks for bringing this up. I have a lot more to say about it but it would take up too much space right now. LOL!
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[...] Nap is over. We make a peanut & jelly sandwhich and head outside to play. We do this until about 4:30. My oldest had track practice so as soon as the middle son got home, which is about 4:30, I took off to Van Horn, 30 minutes away, to get my son from practice. To kill time until practice is over, I go to the grocery store and get what we need, get gas, and feed for the animals. I can see Tyler having to do the relay start over and over again. He’s also holding his leg. I guess it hurts. What a winnie! I guess if it got so bad, I could hire one those Scranton personal injury lawyers to let the coach know he’s working his butt of too hard. NAH, Tyler needs to work his butt off! Especially since his principal gave hime swats yesterday! 5:30, Tyler is done, we drive home passing DOT’S everywhere. [...]
A big problems is that mexican trucks do not have to abide by the same rules that us trucks do. see http://firemarypeters.com/features/talkingpoints.htm
The American public has been sold a bill of goods on this Mexican Pilot Program by self interest groups such as OOIDA and the Teamsters who follow a protectionist and nativist agenda.
FMCSA statistics show that overall, Mexican carriers have a much better safety average than American or Canadians.
More than 800 Mexican carriers, who previously had authority in the US before the 1982 moratorium were grandfathered in and have operated continuously and safely for more than 25 years in the US.
Guns are not brought in from Mexico, they are smuggled into Mexico from the US.
Generally, the majority of trucks caught with illegal immigrants or illegal drugs are American truckers looking to make an easy buck.
Mexican carrier executives are businessmen, no different from a US or Canadian businessman.
OOIDA has made it a point to try and persuade the American public that Mexican trucks are junk and that the border drayage fleet is representative of the trucks in the program. THEY ARE NOT!
People need to learn to think for themselves and question things instead of permitting their ingrained prejudices to guide their lives.
The Pilot Program does not represent a threat to America’s driving public. It does not represent any harm towards America’s truckers. They are just like we are.
I drive a truck out of Laredo and I can assure you, if they represented any threat to my economic well being, I’d be screaming bloody murder.
I have also lived in Mexico for the past 15 years and the country is nothing like what is portrayed in the media.
http://mexicotrucker.com
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Well, I think they’ve been trying to crack down on this for quite sometime… but definitely an interesting read.
Jay
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