OOIDA questions cross-border trucking program

Washington – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is seeking answers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration about the future of the U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Long-Haul Trucking Pilot Program, which is set to expire Oct. 14.

The program, which began in 2011, is intended to test Mexico-based motor carriers’ ability to operate safely in the United States beyond established border commercial zones.

In a letter sent to FMCSA on Oct. 1, OOIDA listed several concerns based on recent FMCSA data that showed only 13 participants in the program. OOIDA said two carriers accounted for more than 81 percent of all inspections and 90 percent of all crossings in the program.

When asked for comment, FMCSA said it would evaluate program data before deciding the next step.

“As the cross-border trucking pilot winds down, FMCSA is in the process of reviewing data from more than 5,000 truck and driver inspections with the goal of developing a path forward to ensure safety on our highways while continuing to fulfill our NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) obligations,” the agency said in a statement sent to Safety+Health.