Recently OOIDA put out a CALL TO ACTION (read) regarding opening the US Border to Mexican Trucks. President Obama has been advised by his aides to open the border. You the citizens of the United States overwhelmingly were against the Mexican Trucking Pilot Program and contacted lawmakers to shut down the Mexican Border, which they did. Now that is all in jeopardy. Canadian and U. S. companies and drivers come under very strict regulations regarding Operating Safety, Vehicle Maintenance, Emissions, CDL Licenses, Hours of Service, Drug Testing etc. The Mexican Government has chosen NOT to do anything to enhance safety in their trucking industry. They have had many years advance notice of what was expected of them and now they want us to allow their drivers and trucks into our country. If a Mexican Truck gets inspected at a weigh station here, any violations with the truck will be found. However a vehicle inspection won't necessarily detect whether a Mexican driver has used drugs, or how long he was on duty before coming into the United States. Under OUR drug testing program drivers are tested before being employed, at random (anytime) and post accident. That is the law. Mexico has no such program, nor are they likely to anytime soon. In the United States, drivers must pass a series of written tests and pass a driving test in order to get their CDL License. The separate written tests include General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles, Air Brakes, Doubles/Triples, Tanker, Passenger Transport, and HazMat. The Driving Test consists of 3 parts, Pretrip Inspection, Skills Test, then a Driving Test (45-60 minutes). In order for a U.S. driver to recieve a HazMat endorsement the driver must be finger-printed and go through a criminal background check by TSA. The last requirement is a DOT Physical every 2 years (more often with medical conditions). Driving Records on CDL holders are stricter than that of automobile drivers, as well it should be. Violations from all 50 states and Canada will show on the drivers MVR, as well as some non-moving violations such as "brakes out of adjustment" will get a driver points on his record. It doesn't take much for a driver to lose his or her CDL. In the United States, Carriers must keep meticulous records. All Logbooks from drivers must be kept on file for a minimum of 6 months. Maintenance and Fuel records on equipment must be kept on file also. The DOT can inspect and audit anytime without notice. They have the power to shut down the operations of a carrier if found in violation. Hours of Service Violations can result in huge fines for drivers and carriers. Carriers in the U.S. have spent huge amounts of money to bring their equipment up to current and future emission standards. Bear in mind that each truck (not trailer) purchased exceeds $100,000. This is an enormous investment which is ongoing by our carriers. The Mexican Government has a long ways to go to meet our requirements, they have had time to at least start a proper CDL and Drug Testing program at the very least. The people of this country expect safe trucks and drivers, opening the border would jeopardize all that we have worked hard to attain. Until the Mexican Government comes up to our standards OUR border needs to stay CLOSED to trucks. We do not want unqualified drivers with 40 tons of steel and rubber running on our highways. We do not want sub-standard trucks running on our highways. The People of the United States told Congress to close the border last year! Do NOT let the president open it! CONTACT: Office of the U.S. Trade Representative: USTR’s Intergovernmental Affairs & Public Liaison office: (202) 395-6120 FAX: (202) 395-3692 Office of the United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20208 President Obama: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ Comments: (202) 456-1111 FAX: (202) 456-2461 The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 U.S. Department of Transportation: Phone: (202) 366-4000 Secretary Ray LaHood Office of the Secretary of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Suite W60-300 Washington, DC 20590 Congress: To call your 2 Senators and your Representative in the House, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, provide the operator with your home zip code. The operator will connect you with the offices of your elected representatives. To write and/or fax to your Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm To write and/or fax to your U.S. Representative: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml ------------------------------------------ Please call, write, fax to the offices TODAY!