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Guess what happens this week. Mexican trucks will be allowed to drive across the border and throughout LA's highways, bypassing local trucking companies entirely.
Since 1982, Mexican truckers stopped near our border and transferred all cargo to American trucks, who would then deliver the goods throughout LA. Not anymore…Thanks to the ongoing, infinite wisdom of Mr. Bush, the border gates have swung open even wider. Why? Well, it could possibly lower prices on a few things at Wal-Mart.
So what's so bad about Mexican truckers crossing our border to deliver things that LA truckers used to? If you haven't noticed, we have a little smog issue in Los Angeles.
I wanted to buy a Suzuki 250 dual sport motorcycle last year, but it was only available in the other 49 states. That's how tight LA's emissions laws are. Now a bunch of old, unregulated, poorly maintained diesel 18-wheelers from a third world country are going to spew what scientists claim are some of the most dangerous air pollutants throughout our city. Kind of contradicts The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005, aimed at addressing the "dangers and horror" of diesel exhaust from the already cleaner, more modern American trucks.
Mexican truckers are also untrained to drive throughout LA, not understanding all of our signage, right-of-way etiquette, and parking issues. It creates a genuinely dangerous situation.
If one of these trucks hits your car, are they insured? Would the LAPD even know how to handle the situation? How do they tell the difference between a Mexican truck driver and an illegal alien tooling around LA? Is it just one document? If so, what's keeping that document from suddenly becoming the most desirable piece of paper to forge and sell all over LA?
And for every Mexican truck, there's one less Los Angeles truck. Is that best for our local economy?
What about air pollution and global warming and keeping it green? Don't be fooled by political talking points. Your best interests are not on political agendas. Oh, and by the way, it's National Truck Driver Appreciation Week this week.
Photo by fbz_ via Flickr
