States risk losing millions over trucker English proficiency failures

In August 2023, after a deadly truck crash in Florida involving an illegal immigrant driver, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) warned California, Washington, and New Mexico that they could lose millions in federal funding if they do not enforce English proficiency rules for commercial drivers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the urgency of this requirement, citing that truckers must understand road signs and communicate effectively to ensure public safety. The investigation revealed significant lapses in how these states monitored compliance with the standards established in June 2023. The situation underlined safety concerns following the tragic incident in which Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, caused the deaths of three individuals when he made an illegal U-turn while driving a commercial truck. Investigators noted that Singh had failed English proficiency tests but still managed to obtain his commercial driver's license in California and Washington. Notably, enforcement actions by California, Washington, and New Mexico to remove drivers lacking English proficiency were found to be severely lacking, leading to potential federal funding losses. Each state was given a deadline to present corrective measures, or they would face financial penalties, which Duffy described as necessary to safeguard public welfare on the roads. The broader implications of this case raise questions about the adequacy of state-level enforcement of federal regulations regarding licensing and safety, especially concerning drivers from non-English speaking backgrounds. The ongoing scrutiny reveals a critical need for consistent adherence to safety regulations to prevent crises that endanger lives on the road.