Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

National Headquarters:  1 NW OOIDA Drive, Grain Valley, MO  64029

Tel:  (816) 229-5791  Fax:  (816) 427-4468

Washington Office:   122 C Street NW, Washington, DC  20001

Tel:  (202) 347-2007  Fax:  (202) 347-2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Norita Taylor

March 26, 2007
norita_taylor@ooida.com       

(800-444-5791)                                       

Put the brakes on bad border program immediately

(March 26, 2007, Washington, DC) – American voters should contact their U.S. senators today and make it known that a proposed program to allow Mexican-based trucks to operate in the U.S. is unsafe, unverifiable and completely unacceptable.

Further, Americans should let their senators know that approving an amendment attached last week to a supplemental spending bill, which is being debated by the Senate today, will ensure the safety and security of America’s highways. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is urging motorists to support this amendment, citing concerns about verification of drivers’ records, drug and alcohol testing, hours of service, cabotage, inspections and insurance, as just a few issues that have yet to be addressed by the Bush administration.

“OOIDA firmly believes that DOT has not fully complied with Section 350 of the 2002 Transportations Appropriations Act with regard to safety, economic and homeland security,” stated Todd Spencer, Executive Vice President of OOIDA.

The Association points out serious questions the DOT has failed to answer:

Commercial Driver’s License – Mexico’s licensing system is a sham. By having no extensive background checks on serious safety violations and criminal convictions, it’s hard to tell if someone with a Mexican CDL is a truck driver or terrorist.

Hours of Service – There is no way of verifying if Mexican truckers have been on the road and awake for two hours or two weeks before they enter the United States.

Safety – U.S. inspectors are already stretched to the limit in performing safety checks on American carriers. No evidence has been provided showing that Mexican trucks will be inspected consistently and held to the same high standards that U.S. trucking firms are federally required to meet.

Alcohol & Drug Testing – It is not clear who will oversee the collection of random testing samples of Mexican drivers.

Enforcement of Cabotage – Current cabotage law prohibits foreign trucks and drivers from moving loads from point-to-point within U.S. borders. While Mexican trucks will theoretically not be allowed to make point-to-point hauls within the states, no plan has been outlined as to how this will be enforced. State enforcement officials who are charged with enforcing these laws have never received guidance and training or access to support systems that could verify legal presence.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, Mo. area. The Association currently has more than 150,000 members from all 50 states and Canada.

Americans can contact their respective senators by calling 202-224-3121.