AIA URGES TOUGHER TRUCKING STANDARDS

The American Insurance Association (AIA) urged delegates from Mexico, Canada and the U.S. meeting in Ottawa under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to adopt and enforce more rigorous cross-border trucking safety and security standards in light of the threat of terrorism in North America. David Snyder, AIA assistant general counsel, testifying before NAFTA, noted that substantial improvements to cross-border safety and security must be an immediate priority for NAFTA. Items in need of urgent attention include equipment and staffing for crossings; uniform safety standards coordinated at the highest levels; complete data systems on drivers, vehicles, motor carriers and cargo; financial data available to safety enforcers and insurers; and cooperative enforcement programs among the three countries. Snyder stated that AIA would like to see the mutual recognition of insurance written in any one NAFTA country and the preservation of all existing insurance options.