By JOSH FUNK
Transportation Secretary’s Action Against California
On Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that he would withhold $40 million from California, the only state not enforcing English language requirements for truck drivers.
Background of the Investigation
This decision follows an investigation triggered by a fatal crash in Florida involving a foreign truck driver who made an illegal U-turn on August 12. Duffy pointed out significant shortcomings in California’s enforcement of rules that were established in June as a result of an executive order from President Donald Trump. Despite the English language requirements being in place before the crash, California had issued a commercial license to the driver.
Safety Concerns and Political Implications
Truck drivers are required to be disqualified if they cannot demonstrate English proficiency. Duffy expressed that the driver involved in the crash should not have received a commercial license due to his immigration status. The incident has escalated into a political issue, with governors from California and Florida criticizing each other, while Duffy emphasizes immigration concerns from the administration’s perspective.
California’s Response and Statistics
California defended its licensing practices in a previous formal response to the Transportation Department, but federal officials deemed it insufficient. After Duffy’s announcement, a spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom pointed out that the state’s commercial truck drivers have a crash rate lower than the national average.
Inspections and Regulatory Actions
Duffy mentioned that since the new language standards were implemented, California has completed roughly 34,000 inspections, discovering one violation related to English language requirements that led to a driver being taken out of service. Moreover, 23 drivers with violations from other states continued to drive in California following inspections.
Funding Contingencies and Additional Concerns
To reinstate the withheld funding, California is required to enforce English proficiency regulations and ensure that state inspectors are testing drivers during roadside checks, removing anyone who fails. Additionally, Duffy has threatened to cut another $160 million over how California issues commercial driver licenses and has imposed stricter qualifications for these licenses recently.
The Fatal Crash and Its Aftermath
The fatal crash involved truck driver Harjinder Singh, who made an illegal U-turn about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, resulting in three deaths when a minivan collided with his trailer. Singh was not injured and is now being held without bond facing vehicular homicide and immigration violation charges. The crash has been scrutinized due to concerns over Singh’s immigration status and his failure to pass an English proficiency test afterward.
