Concerns about Mexican trucks operating illegally in this country were substantiated by the latest government audit, which found that federal controls are inadequate to stem the incursions.
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In 1998, more than 500 Mexico-domiciled carriers operated trucks illegally beyond the commercial zones of California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, according to a follow-up report from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General. The designated zones, where Mexican operators are authorized to pick up and hand off international cargo, hug the U.S-Mexico border.
An estimated Mexican 130 carriers operated illegally in 20 other states, the report stated.
In addition, the inspector general found safety violations serious enough to warrant an out-of-service order in 32% of the vehicles outside the commercial zones and in 19% of the vehicles found beyond the border states. These violations included brake failures, lighting and tire problems and hours-of-service infractions as well as failure to keep logbooks.
For the full story, see the Nov. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. .
U.S. Seen Unprepared for Influx of Mexican Truckers (Nov. 3)
