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==Regulation and Mexico==
==Regulation and Mexico==
Professional trucking is a lightly [[regulation|regulated]] industry. Most trucking companies police themselves, with the caveat that the federal government requires a certain standard of behavior to be met by each employed trucker. For example, truckers coming into the United States from Mexico must be U.S. citizens, or else have [[green card]]s that allow them to work within the United States of America. Furthermore, they must be fluent in English, which is necessary to understand essential road signs such as traffic lights and speed limits. American truck companies and drivers have opposed increased competition from Mexican trucks and truckers, and have forced cancellation of an experimental program. This has caused diplomatic tension between the U.S. and Mexico.
Professional trucking is a lightly [[regulation|regulated]] industry. Most trucking companies police themselves, with the caveat that the federal government requires a certain standard of behavior to be met by each employed trucker. For example, truckers coming into the United States from Mexico must be U.S. citizens, or else have [[green card]]s that allow them to work within the United States of America. Furthermore, they must be fluent in English, which is necessary to understand essential road signs such as traffic lights and speed limits. American truck companies and drivers have opposed increased competition from Mexican trucks and truckers, and have forced cancellation of an experimental program. This has caused diplomatic tension between the U.S. and Mexico.
Public opinion is solid in the U.S. In August 2009 a Rasmussen poll discovered that just 19% of Americans say the U.S. Congress should let trucks from Mexico cross the border and carry their loads on American highways, as Mexican President Felipe Calderon requested, while 66% oppose.
==Long distance drivers==
==Long distance drivers==
The nation's 1.9 million drivers of heavy truck and tractor-trailers operate trucks or vans with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). They transport goods ranging from autos to cattle to shipping containers. Sometimes two drivers totate on very long runs—one drives while the other sleeps in a berth behind the cab. Husband-wife teams are common. These "sleeper" runs can last for days, or even weeks. Trucks on sleeper runs typically stop only for fuel, food, loading, and unloading. They rely on truck stops along the major highways for fuel, meals and a quick shower.
The nation's 1.9 million drivers of heavy truck and tractor-trailers operate trucks or vans with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). They transport goods ranging from autos to cattle to shipping containers. Sometimes two drivers totate on very long runs—one drives while the other sleeps in a berth behind the cab. Husband-wife teams are common. These "sleeper" runs can last for days, or even weeks. Trucks on sleeper runs typically stop only for fuel, food, loading, and unloading. They rely on truck stops along the major highways for fuel, meals and a quick shower.