Commercial Trucking: Safety Concerns About Mexican Trucks Remain Even as Inspection Activity Increases

DOT concurred with the recommendation and required that all states participating in its Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program develop and implement performance-based programs for FY 1999. This initiative was subsequently enacted into law in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21). DOT told GAO that all states are preparing performance-based programs and that 3 of the 4 border states included such goals in their plans. California did not because it did not consider this a critical problem since, its out-of-service rates for Mexican vehicles are now comparable to U.S. nationwide inspection rates.

The agency agrees that fulfilling the recommendation is critical to the success of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The agency points out that it has not had a recent occasion where a border project necessitated coordination with GSA. However, it believes that future involvement with GSA and border facilities is directly related to the successful implementation of Section 1119 of TEA 21, the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program. The agency is placing a high priority on the inclusion of inspection facilities in the implementation of this program and is conducting out-reach efforts with the states to convey that priority. These out-reach efforts also provide a forum to the states for direct interaction with DOT to make their infrastructure needs known for future planning purposes.