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Summary

On March 8, the Inspector General testified before the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee regarding the status of safety requirements for cross-border trucking with Mexico under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Inspector General testified that: (1) FMCSA has made continual improvements in its border safety program; (2) FMCSA and the states have made significant progress in resolving problems associated with making sure states can take effective enforcement action against Mexican motor carriers; and (3) FMCSA has taken action needed to make sure that weigh stations are fully operational. Despite the progress made, additional improvements are needed. FMCSA needs to: (1) improve the quality of data used to monitor Mexican commercial traffic convictions in the United States; (2) ensure adequate capacity to inspect Mexican buses; (3) fully implement its policy on compliance with Federal motor vehicle manufacturing safety standards, and (4) continue to focus attention on drug and alcohol issues.