Leeway Proposed on Mexican Truck Safety

Mexican tractor-trailers won’t have to undergo a U.S. safety check for up to 18 months after they have full access to American roads under proposed federal rules.

Critics pounced on that aspect of the plan, saying the trucks should be thoroughly inspected before being allowed to operate in the U.S. to ensure American motorists aren’t alongside unsafe vehicles.

Under the rules, Mexican trucking companies will be required to provide detailed information about their safety practices and show they are in compliance with U.S. trucking regulations, said Dave Longo, spokesman for the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration, which devised the plan. Then, within 18 months, U.S. officials will check the paperwork for accuracy.