Deluge of Safety Deficiencies Plague Trucks Entering U.S. From Mexico
Every month, thousands of safety violations are detected on trucks entering the U.S. from Mexico at Texas border checkpoints. Learn about the threat posed by Mexican trucks that are not up to code.

November 20, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Texas has long served as the gateway of choice into the United States from Mexico. Two thirds of the U.S.-Mexico border is comprised of Texas expanses. Every year, trucks transport some $275 billion worth of goods between the two countries.

But, cargo is not the only thing that comes into the U.S. on Texas roads. Over the past several years, inspectors have issued a staggering number of citations to truckers driving rigs into the country with safety violations that can contribute substantially to Texas truck accidents.

Over A Million Violations On Trucks Entering Texas in Under Four Years

El Paso is currently the only Texas city with permanent border inspection stations dedicated to detecting safety problems on inbound trucks. Between September of 2007 and July of 2011, 1.2 million truck inspections were conducted at two state facilities in El Paso.

These inspections revealed a total of 1,004,213 violations. Citations were issued for a wide array of safety issues, including brake problems, flat tires and lights that were not functioning properly. While a warning or a ticket sufficed for minor violations, 31,519 trucks were deemed unfit to enter the United States and were placed out of service completely.

Even when the trucks themselves measured up, drivers sometimes fell short. From September 2007 to July 2011, 625 drivers were put out service as a result of El Paso border inspections. Neglecting to wear required prescription eyeglass or staying behind the wheel in excess of hourly limitations are examples of driver behaviors that warranted taking them off the road.

A number of the trucks inspected had multiple violations. Even so, the majority of inspections revealed at least one safety deficiency. "We consider any safety violation to be serious," Capt. Jessie Mendez, who is in charge of the border truck inspection program run by the Texas Department of Public Safety, told the El Paso Times. Fines for each violation can be as high as $500, and any problems revealed by the inspections must be remedied. "Many of the trucks are fixed on site or are towed away for repair," explained Capt. Mendez.

Safety Problems Can Cause Texas Truck Accidents

According to Texas Department of Transportation statistics, 15,676 truck-tractor/semi-trailer type vehicles were involved in crashes statewide in 2010. A number of these Texas truck accidents resulted in injury, and 2,339 caused "serious" injuries. Furthermore, 284 fatalities stemmed from 2010 truck crashes; on average, someone dies in a truck accident almost every day in Texas.

There is no doubt that large commercial trucks can be a significant threat to other drivers on the road. Although their operators must be specially licensed and trucks are subject to a wide range of safety regulations that are inapplicable to other motor vehicles, the increased size and weight of trucks makes them tougher to maneuver and more dangerous than a passenger vehicle when there is a crash.

The type of safety violations observed at Texas border checkpoints can, and do, cause truck accidents. It is fairly obvious how a defective axle or bad brakes could easily lead to an accident. But, every truck safety regulation is in place for a reason, and even seemingly minor violations can cause roadway deaths and injuries. For instance, in 2010, 938 crashes in Texas were caused by improperly secured loads; almost 100 of these accidents resulted in serious injury. Another 464 accidents were attributed to vehicles being overloaded or oversized.

Legal Action May Be Appropriate When Unremedied Violations Cause a Crash

The high proportion of trucks with violations identified by Texas border authorities shows that many Mexican trucks on the road do not meet minimum safety guidelines. Of course, only a handful of those trucks entering the U.S. get a comprehensive inspection at the border; without a doubt, thousands of trucks continue to operate on Texas roads with undetected safety violations.

When negligent truck maintenance or truck driver oversights cause an accident, injured victims have a right to compensation from the responsible parties. Drivers, trucking companies or insurers may be accountable for safety problems. Victims may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, wages lost due to an inability to work and other losses.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, or if a family member has been killed, contact a Texas personal injury lawyer today to collect the compensation you deserve and to hold unsafe truck operators accountable.

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