Mexico clamping down on truck weight, safety regs

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Updated May 10, 2012

Double-trailer accidents on secondary roads have been a problem in Mexico of late, the most recent of which was an April 20 double-trailer truck collision with a bus that left 43 dead and 27 injured.

On April 27, Mexican officials announced plans for stricter regulations, including barring loads up to 80 metric tons on two-lane roads. They also will increase the number of inspectors and truck scales and require inspection of all double-trailers in upcoming weeks.

Mexico’s trade organization for carriers, CANACAR, applauded the move and criticized some trucking interests who argue heavier loads are synonymous with competitiveness. “If the competitiveness of a country is measured by the number of tons transported in a truck, Mexico would be the champion of international competitiveness,” CANACAR stated.

Update on cross-border program

Four of the 17 carriers that have applied for operating authority through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s pilot program now have completed the Pre-Authorization Safety Audit required for participation. The agency rescinded the preliminary approval of one of those applicants, Grupo Behr, pending further investigation.

Additionally, two other Mexican carriers have dropped out of the applicant pool. In March, the FMCSA dismissed Autotransportes Libre Comercio because of a conditional safety rating, and Trinity Industries De Mexico withdrew because of internal issues.

The agency’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee will continue work on designating a subcommittee to provide independent monitoring of the pilot program on May 23. The public may attend the Washington, D.C. area meeting May 21-23 on this and other issues.

Comment on the MCSAC agenda items may be submitted by May 16 at regulations.gov or by faxing comments to (202) 493–2251. The Federal Docket Number., FMCSA–2006–26367, must be included with comments.

Additional meeting information is available here.

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