AAI Praises DOT Safety Requirements for Visiting Mexican Trucks

Calling it a step forward in making American highways safer, the Alliance of American Insurers (AAI) praised the U.S. Department of Transportation’s newly established safety requirements for Mexican trucks and buses. The regulations were issued in preparation for the opening of the U.S. border to Mexican trucks and buses.

“These are good regulations. They clearly raise the bar for Mexican trucks and will help ensure that NAFTA’s free trade provisions do not endanger the safety of our highways. We’re also pleased that all the motor carrier safety inspectors, auditors and investigators are required to be certified,” Kenneth Schloman, Alliance Washington counsel, commented.

“At first glance, it appears the safety regulations may even be stronger than anticipated. However, there is still some question as to whether the infrastructure will be in place in time to meet the Administration’s goal of opening the border by midyear,” Schloman added.

Mexican carriers applying to operate anywhere in the United States will be required to have a distinctive USDOT number, have their vehicles pass a safety inspection and undergo intensified safety monitoring during an 18-month provisional period, and provide supplemental safety certifications as part of the application process. Mexican commercial vehicles will be permitted to enter the United States only at commercial border crossings and only when a certified motor carrier safety inspector is on duty.

The regulations also will require Mexican carriers operating in the United States to have a drug and alcohol-testing program, a system of compliance with U.S. federal hours-of-service requirements, adequate data and safety management systems, and valid insurance with a U.S. registered insurance company. The carrier’s ability to meet these requirements will be verified by a safety audit conducted by qualified U.S. inspectors before the carriers are allowed to send trucks into the country.

Topics Carriers USA Legislation Mexico