It was interesting to read an article in Landline Now about Road Check 2007 and the fact that they were unable to confirm Mexico’s participation.

I can confirm without a doubt that Mexico did their part again this year during the annual Roadcheck 2007.

I generally take time off each year during the safety blitz, mainly because it falls on my birthday and as the above mentioned article shows, it is not as much about safety as it is about revenue. (What does unpaid county taxes have to do with the safe operation of a commercial vehicle?)

I’ve lived in Mexico for more than 10 years owning a house 580 miles south of Nuevo Laredo and another one in Nuevo Laredo, and with the campaign of misinformation being waged against the Mexican trucking industry, I decided to see for myself.

South of Nuevo Laredo on Hwy 85, at KM 26 there is an interior Customs checkpoint, similiar to the ones in the U.S on I-35 at MM28. Generally this is manned by personnel from Mexico’s Customs and Tax Agency and the Institute of Immigration, but recently, the Mexican Army took over operations of this facility.

Interior Border check at KM 26

But before reaching this point, the Mexican trucker is diverted through a facility that the opponents of the Mexican Pilot Program insists does not exist. A fully staffed, weigh in motion “super coop”, operated by the Federal Highway Police.

Mexican weigh in motion scales south of KM 26 checkpointMexican weigh in motion scales south of KM 26 checkpointMexican weigh in motion scales south of KM 26 checkpointMexican weigh in motion scales south of KM 26 checkpoint

This weight/inspection facility opened on Tuesday morning about 0900 and continued for roughly twelve hours utilizing units of the Federal Highway Police, Customs and the Mexican Army to inspect trucks, cargo and documentation.

In addition, roving patrols of PFP officers conducted roadside Level II and III inspections at random which is also a part of their daily duties.

PFP Officer conducting a CVSA inspectionPFP Officer conducting a CVSA inspection- Inspection complete

So yes, Mexico did participate in Roadcheck 2007 as a full partner in the 3 nation Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. It will be interesting to see the numbers when they are published since it seems that Mexican trucks and buses that are inspected on the U.S. side of the border have a lower OOS rate than their American counterparts.