P.M. Executive Briefing - Aug. 12
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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Checks Putting Brakes on Mexican Truckers
Mexican truckers told the Monitor newspaper in McAllen, Texas, that trade is hampered by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers who look for safety violations even after the truckers pass Customs at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge. The troopers sometimes pull trucks off the road but more often hand out fines for violations including malfunctioning signals and broken windshields.U.S. truckers usually drive newer trucks than do their Mexican counterparts, and Mexican carrier owner Oscar Garza Herrera says truckers in his country often cannot afford to buy new vehicles or have older ones fixed up.
Garza Herrera wants U.S. officials to hold off on the citations until truckers have time to fix the trucks. However, DPS Sgt. Larry Pruitt, who supervises vehicle safety in three Texas counties, says, "We're not going to compromise on safety to the public."
Pruitt says U.S. trucks are the main targets of DPS oversight, but his department has to ensure the safety compliance of trucks crossing the border.
"If we aren't there, there won't be compliance," he says.
In November, the federal government gave Pruitt a grant to pay for three extra patrols that pick two days a week to inspect trucks at the bridge. However, inspections may decrease as the funding dries up this month.
Texas A&M International University professor Jim Giermanski says safety is important even as trade increases, adding that numerous Mexican carriers do not have a steady maintenance program. But some Mexican carriers are up to snuff with U.S. standards, he says.
The Mexican legislature recently mandated equipment improvements that small carriers complain will be too expensive.
"It's going to drive us out of business," says Garza Herrera. San Antonio Express-News Online (08/10/99)
Across the USA: Florida
Florida officials report that there were 384 workplace deaths statewide last year, up 18 from the previous year. The biggest risk groups were truckers and construction workers. In 1998, the report showed 92 on-the-job deaths in highway accidents. USA Today (08/12/99) P. 10A18 Wheels of Hope/Second Harvest Now Posting Loads on Comdata Loadmatcher Network
Comdata's Loadmatcher network will now carry postings from the Second Harvest group of food banks regarding donations available for the 18 Wheels of Hope program.The 18 Wheels of Hope program was started by Comdata in 1998 for trucking companies who want to carry goods to food banks; companies participating can join in the yearly 18 Wheels of Hope event. This year's event will be held in Dallas next month and include a truck parade.
Second Harvest was lately chosen as beneficiary of the program.
"One of the biggest obstacles in hunger relief is the cost of transportation," says Jim Marsh, Second Harvest's network logistics manager.
All the loads carried for Second Harvest are "no touch," not requiring truckers to handle loading or unloading.
"[W]e have received calls from hundreds of generous trucking companies and owner operators with empty trucks who don't necessarily have the time or resources to obtain loads of food, but would like to participate in some way," says Laura Costello, maketing director for Comdata. PRNewswire (08/11/99)
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