Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
1 NW OOIDA Drive, Grain Valley, MO  64029    
Web site: www.ooida.com

Contact: Norita Taylor, norita_taylor@ooida.com 
Headquarters: (800) 444-5791

(Grain Valley, Oct. 17, 2007) – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) says even Harry Potter fans would not be amazed with the illusion created by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Today’s press event attempts to demonstrate the safety of trucks participating in the Mexican cross border pilot program. Truckers are not impressed, nor should the American public be.

“Akin to a magician’s pretty assistant distracting an audience from what he is up to, this is just another attempt by DOT to divert attention away from the program’s deficiencies,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer.

“It’s a sleight of hand that shows nothing. There are very real safety and security problems that still exist.”

The Association contends the DOT still has not shown how they will effectively deal with safety and security issues. These include thorough background checks and drug testing, as well as enforcement of regulatory issues such as hours of service and cabotage, not just at the border, but especially as Mexican-domiciled trucks operate throughout the United States.

“They can’t even do that with trucks in the U.S., let alone every single truck that is bound to cross the border,” added Spencer. “Illusionists are able to make you think you are seeing something that is not there, and that’s exactly what they’re attempting today.”

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has more than 157,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, MO, area.