DOT report: Cross-border trucking operations safe

Nov 25, 2008

U.S. and Mexican motor carriers can safely take part in cross-border trucking operations, despite limited participation in a pilot project, a three-member independent evaluation panel concluded.

The panel's final report (large .pdf file), released Nov. 6 by the Department of Transportation, analyzed how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducted a pilot demonstration program that allowed cross-border freight operations beyond commercial zones along the U.S.-Mexico border. The program began Sept. 7, 2007.

Among the panel's conclusions:

• More than 12,000 truck crossings into the United States by more than 27 Mexican motor carriers occurred.
• FMCSA and state safety officials reported no crashes involving Mexico-based trucks participating in the project.
• FMCSA conducted 1,400 vehicle safety inspections; of those, 130 (8.7 percent) resulted in out-of-service violations.
• Of 7,000 driver safety inspections conducted, 37 (less than 1 percent) resulted in out-of-service violations.

Members of Congress, safety advocates, industry groups and others have voiced concerns about the program's effect on traffic safety and national security. Days after the House passed a bill in August to end the program, FMCSA announced (.pdf file) the program would continue for two years.