Mexican Trucks May Soon Be On Their Way
As Texas Department of Public Safety workers check each and every Mexican truck coming through the Zaragosa port of entry, Mexican truck drivers sit and wait, and talk about the news of the day; President George W. Bush's plan to let 100 Mexican truck companies drive throughout the United States, not just in the border area.
"It would be good, because it would be better work for us," said Jose Alfaro, who has been driving Mexican trucks for eight years.
"I think that we are going to have more work, I think it's positive for the Mexican drivers," said Sergio Lopez, who also has been driving Mexican trucks for eight years.
The plan comes with concerns. Some American truck drivers KFOX spoke with worried about safety.
"They cannot read the signs and they don't even really know how to drive a rig out there. I've seen them with those trucks breaking down, they cut in front of you, they don't even use a signal," said David Melendez, 12 year truck driving veteran.
Everytime Mexican trucks come across the border, they are checked top to bottom, but the Mexican drivers agree that more work would have to be done if Bush's plan goes through.
"Probably we would have to go all over the United States, we would have to get newer trucks and better maintenance for everything," said Alfaro.
There is also the concern that thousands of Americans would lose their jobs.
"Why should he do that when we got other truckers out here barely surviving," said Gerald Davis, an American trucker.
"They need to keep them over there because they are taking our jobs. And they are working for less pay too," said Melendez.
Many Mexican drivers believe it will mean more for everyone.
"It would be enough for everybody in the border, because more work, more money, more everything," said Alfaro.
Only 100 Mexican companies will be picked for the one year trial period. U.S. inspectors will check for safety issues along with U.S. insurance and drivers who have knowledge of U.S. traffic signs. No one KFOX spoke with on the subject said they had any worries about U.S. security or trafficking illegal immigrants, which is one of the concerns in Washington.
Copyright 2007 by KFOXTV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.















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