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Trump Administration Implements English Requirement for Truck Drivers
On Tuesday, the Trump administration took initial steps to enforce a law mandating that truck drivers must be able to speak English. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made this announcement in Austin, Texas, where he signed an order directing the Department of Transportation to implement the requirement.
Safety on the Roads
Duffy emphasized that this enforcement is primarily a public safety concern. He criticized previous policies for putting political correctness ahead of the safety of American citizens.
Legal Requirements for Drivers
According to federal regulations, truck drivers are required to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports.” This directive follows President Trump’s executive order from April 28, which mandated English literacy tests for truckers.
Communication Issues in the Industry
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed out that there are significant communication challenges between truckers and both federal and local officials, which poses a risk to public safety. She stated, “We’re ensuring our truckers, who are vital to our economy, can all speak English. This is a common-sense policy.”
Past Violations and Enforcement
Prior to 2015, over 99,000 drivers faced violations related to English proficiency, and around a thousand were removed from service. Duffy mentioned that many of these drivers received minimal consequences.
English: A Language of Opportunity
“English is the language of opportunity in America,” Duffy remarked. He highlighted that allowing drivers who cannot read stop signs or understand instructions from law enforcement to operate large vehicles endangers everyone’s safety on the roads.
Future Actions Against Non-compliant Drivers
Going forward, if truck drivers are found incapable of speaking English during a traffic stop, they will be taken out of service.
