(Grain Valley, Mo., ) The Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) which represents professional truckers is not surprised by a recent survey revealing that most Americans do not want Congress to allow Mexico-based motor carriers access to U.S. highways.
"This proves that Americans see very clearly what we've been saying for nearly three years," said Todd Spencer, Executive Vice President. "It's not safe to open the border, not yet anyway. Not until Mexico raises its standards and can comply with our ever-increasing regulations for safety and security."
The survey was conducted August 10-11, 2009, by Rasmussen Reports and asked 1,000 adults if Congress should let trucks from Mexico cross the border and carry their loads on American highways. Sixty-six percent said "no."
Recent reports indicate that U.S. corporations with financial interests in Mexico are pressuring lawmakers to reverse previous decisions to end cross-border trucking.
"We believe the retaliatory tariffs imposed by Mexico should be challenged as illegal," adds Spencer. "The survey proves what everyone else understands as common sense. That the safety of U.S. citizens comes before economic interests."
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has nearly 160,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, Mo., area.
