I am concerned with a headline I saw recently. Apparently the U.S. is ending a ban on Mexican trucks entering the country. Will Mexican truck drivers be held to the same safety standards as U.S. truck drivers? If they are, then how will we make them comply?

Under an agreement between President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Colderon, approved Mexican carriers are permitted to transport Mexican goods throughout the United States. Yes, Mexican truck drivers must comply with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) safety regulations, including hours-of-service rules. Drivers must hold a valid U.S. or Mexican commercial driver’s license and must be able to read U.S. road signs and understand questions and directions in English.

In addition, Mexican trucks are held to the same safety standards as U.S. trucks and must be insured with a U.S. licensed firm. Before being certified to cross the border, Mexican carriers must go through a rigorous series of inspections and safety evaluations. Authorization can be revoked if a driver or carrier breaks a safety regulation.

CNN reported in September that according to Department of Transportation data, no participating Mexican carrier has had a reportable crash in the U.S. since joining the program.