WFAA-TV

Mexican trucks will be inspected.

The federal government said yesterday that Mexican trucks won't be rumbling deeper into Texas on Saturday as planned.

But you'll likely be seeing them next week on North Texas highways.

There is a continuing controversy over whether the trucks are safe.

Interstate 35 that cuts through North Texas already carries more than a third of all the free trade truck traffic through the state.

American truck companies carry the cargo but soon Mexican truckers will likely join them.

That leaves some North Texas drivers skeptical.

"I think they need to inspect them a whole lot better," said Chris Campbell, a driver.

The federal government plans to start a pilot program as early as next Thursday to allow up to 540 Mexican trucks to drive anywhere in the U.S. over the next year.

It's a part of the North American Free Trade Agreement that's been delayed for 13 years.

But as the likelihood grows that Mexican trucks will be driving on North Texas freeways, there are those who say drivers shouldn't worry.

U.S. inspectors already check Mexican trucks that drive in the commercial zone along the Texas border.

Mexican trucks driving inland must follow the same rules for rig safety and drug testing, according to the former top lawyer for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

"The Mexican carriers have to comply with all of our safety regulations, each and every truck has been inspected by a federal official, they have to have insurance. This is being watched very closely," said Dallas attorney, Brigham McCown.

North Texas companies, like Interceramic in Garland, are watching closely, too.

It hauls in nearly 600 truckloads of tile and goods from Mexico plants a month into Texas.

Using Mexican trucks would save time and money.

If the test program survives a court challenge by the teamsters, Mexican trucks could be rolling through Texas next week.