Commercial trucks get in driver's way

Editor:
I utilize International Boulevard commuting to and from Port Isabel.
The morning rush is not a problem, traffic flow is manageable; it would help if the traffic lights were synchronized.
The problem is the evening traffic. After 5:30 p.m. till around 7:30, the street is loaded with semi-trailer rigs heading to Matamoros, most of which have Mexican plates. The problem is that they hoard both lanes headed south.
I have fallen victim many times when they are side by side playing racing games to the next light or simply just starting off a slow as they can be, blocking traffic on both lanes.
Does Brownsville have a law against these commercial vehicles causing traffic jams? If so, I have never seen one rig pulled over for obstruction, racing, or going extremely slow causing flow problems. I think these trucks need to be on the right lane, the slow lane, clear up to the point when entering the lane that allows them access to the bridge of departure.
A definite traffic problem during rush evening rush hour.
Abel Montes
Brownsville
Via the Internet

Outlaw phone use while behind wheel

Editor:
I know it is not a popular viewpoint, but it is time to consider making it illegal to talk or text on cell phones while driving without hands-free devices in Brownsville. Its getting so bad that when my wife and I are driving and we spot the obvious “distracted” person weaving, driving half the posted speed limit, we bet whether it’s a call or a text, 90 percent of the time it has something to do with a cell phone.
Many of us talk and drive; I do. We all think we can do it well. Some of us can and some can’t, but some people are going to get killed for no reason.
Two arguments to back up my point. 1) In a few years we are going to be there anyway nationwide; why don’t we just adopt it now? 2) If cities like Hidalgo have adopted it, are they overly cautious, or are we just turning away from the fact that it is dangerous?
Normally, the four cultures that mesh down here makes us better; in this case, we need to make sure everyone gets off the phone and on the gas pedal.
Bob Mirrielees
Brownsville
Via the Internet