Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Tuesday that California, Washington, and New Mexico risk losing millions in federal funding if they do not enforce English language requirements for truck drivers. This warning comes after an investigation, prompted by a fatal crash in Florida involving a foreign truck driver making an illegal U-turn on August 12, revealed major shortcomings in how the states enforce these rules, which were established after a June executive order by President Trump.
Investigation Findings
Truck drivers must be disqualified if they cannot prove English proficiency. Duffy emphasized that the driver involved in the deadly crash—resulting in three fatalities—should not have been able to obtain a commercial driver’s license due to his immigration status. The incident has sparked political contention, with the governors of California and Florida exchanging criticisms while Duffy pointed to immigration issues during interviews.
Safety over Politics
Despite the political discourse, Duffy stressed that safety is the core issue, arguing that truck drivers must understand road signs and be able to communicate effectively with law enforcement during inspections or accidents. “This is about keeping people safe on the road,” he said, as everyone shares the roadway and relies on safe vehicle operation.
Lack of Enforcement
The Transportation Department reported that California carried out approximately 34,000 inspections since the language standards were implemented but only one driver was taken out of service for violating English proficiency rules. In addition, 23 drivers with violations in other states continued to operate in California. Washington had over 6,000 safety violations noted but similarly had only four drivers removed for English language issues. New Mexico has not disqualified any drivers under the new regulations.
Financial Consequences
Duffy warned that the states were at risk of losing funding from the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program if they failed to comply within 30 days. Potential losses include $33 million for California, $10.5 million for Washington, and $7 million for New Mexico. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office claimed the Trump administration was trying to divert blame for the crash.
Details of the Fatal Crash
Driver Harjinder Singh was involved in the crash that killed three individuals after making an illegal U-turn on a highway, according to Florida’s Highway Patrol. He is currently held without bond and faces charges including vehicular homicide and immigration violations. The collision occurred when a minivan struck Singh’s trailer during the illegal turn.
Immigration Status Challenges
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Singh was in the U.S. illegally, which raises questions on why he was issued a commercial driver’s license. Duffy remarked that both California and Washington should not have allowed Singh to have a license given his inability to communicate in English. California’s practices, which include licensing regardless of immigration status, have triggered debate, with Newsom maintaining that the proper protocols were followed when Singh was licensed.
