DOT Affirms Mexican Trucks Are Illegally Entering U.S.
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.
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.
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.
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An estimated Mexican 130 carriers operated illegally in 20 other states, the report stated.
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For the full story, see the Nov. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
