Senator Sends Letter Opposing Mexican Truck EOBR Program
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood outlining his opposition to the U.S. proposal to buy electronic onboard recorders for Mexican trucks that will travel within the United States.
“I do not believe this concept is fair for U.S. carriers who are not eligible for such payments,” Pryor wrote in a letter dated Thursday.
A Department of Transportation official said earlier this month that DOT will pay for EOBRs for Mexican trucks entering the United States under an agreement with Mexico. The program is meant to ensure drivers’ compliance with hours-of-service regulations while in the U.S.
“I also do not believe U.S. taxpayers should subsidize such purchases for Mexican trucking companies, particularly under our current fiscal condition,” wrote Pryor, who said he supports the use of EOBRs for all trucks to ensure HOS compliance.
“For these reasons, I hope you will reconsider this aspect of the current proposal,” he said.
Pryor, a member of the Senate committee that oversees DOT, also urged LaHood to consider requiring polygraph tests and background investigations for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials to combat corruption.
