Teamsters: Peters' Testimony on Mexican Trucks Was Frightening

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/426498.html

WASHINGTON, March 11 --

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said today that Americans should be frightened by the Bush administration's low regard for safety as it opens the border to dangerous trucks from Mexico.

For example, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) chief John Hill told reporters today that a Mexican trucking company with a horrendous safety record didn't have a history of serious violations before it was accepted into the pilot program. Hill spoke after his boss, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, testified before the Senate Commerce Committee on why she chose to ignore Congress and keep the program going.

According to the FMCSA's own data, Trinity Industries de Mexico had 75 out-of-service orders and should have had another 476, according to its own standards, in the year preceding Sept. 21, 2007. According to federal law, a truck or vehicle is placed out of service when an "imminent hazard" is present. Trinity is no longer in the pilot program.

"Trinity Industries had a horrible safety record and never should have been in the pilot program in the first place," Hoffa said. "I'm amazed that Peters is still defending the program after such an egregious lapse in safety. It's frightening."

During Tuesday's hearing, Peters continued to insist that the pilot program is lawful, though Congress passed a law cutting off funds for it. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., told her that Congress's intent to end the program was clear.

"There is an arrogance here," Dorgan told Peters. "There will be consequences."

FULL story at link.

[DainBramaged]

1. There are never consequences for Reich wingers, only cash

[thunder rising]

2. In the '70s(?) there was a BIG push for truck and driver maintenance accountabilty

I read a story (Time? or Life?) in a magazine that listed horrendous events such as 5th wheels breaking and letting loose their trailers: brakes not stopping trucks.

Be sure, a poorly maintained truck at 70mph is VERY deadly and needs to be regulated.