Mexican Truckers Take to U.S. Highways This Weekend

"It was done in the dark of night." said Rep. Peter DeFazio, democrat from Oregon.

According to the Houston Chronicle, a pilot program that allows Mexican trucks to use U.S. roads has gone into effect.

John Hill, the head of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gave the green light late Thursday night for Mexican trucks to go beyond the 25 miles limit that had been set earlier.

This is supposedly in accordance to the NAFTA promises that were made to allow Mexican and Canadian truckers full access to U.S. roads. The Canadian truckers already have full access.

Many objections to this deal have been raised. Several states have voiced their opposition to it. Lawsuits and opposition by labor and safety groups have been filed in hopes of stalling the Mexican trucks.

Why the opposition to Mexican trucks? There are many reasons. Safety is at the top of the list. There is no guarantee that these Mexican trucks will undergo any type of safety checks. Keep in mind that U.S. drivers and their trucks are held to strict rules and regulations. This administration seems to want to allow the trucks to come in without checking trucks for safety or load content.

Rules on knowing, understanding and speaking English may well be on the back burner too. One has to wonder how a driver with no English skills will be able to read highway signs, town/city signs, etc. And for many, this would seem to be an impossible trick to navigate a foreign country, hauling goods, without a way to communicate.

Nonetheless, President Bush and his administration have pushed this through. Let us take a moment to reflect on "not checking loads." In this time of terror, when any true-blooded terrorist would love to sneak weapons of destruction into this country, load checking is not going to be required? U.S truckers have most definitely been checked coming back from the border towns. Even grain haulers have to untarp their trailers.

Another concern may be insurance or the lack there of. Will these trucks and drivers be insured? If not, who will pick up the tab for accidents involving these trucks? Will it fall on the Mexican government or the American taxpayer?