Transportation Secretary Threatens Funding Withdrawal Over English Proficiency in Trucking
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that federal funding could be pulled from Washington, California, and New Mexico if these states fail to enforce the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement for commercial truck drivers within 30 days.
Duffy stated the initiative is aimed at enhancing road safety, emphasizing that truck drivers must be able to understand road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and respond to official inquiries. He noted that non-compliance could jeopardize public safety.
California risks losing $30 million, Washington $10 million, and New Mexico $7 million from the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). Duffy previously signed an order reinforcing ELP requirements, stating that non-compliant drivers would be removed under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines.
The motivation for the directive follows a recent incident involving an undocumented truck driver, Harjinder Singh, who allegedly caused a crash on the Florida Turnpike that resulted in three fatalities. Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, faces multiple criminal charges. Federal investigations revealed he obtained commercial licenses in both Washington and California despite his status.
Authorities reported that inspections in California found numerous safety violations, yet few involved English proficiency, prompting concerns about the enforcement of language requirements. Duffy reiterated the necessity for drivers to understand English to ensure road safety.
Federal investigators found Singh struggled with basic English skills, answering only 2 of 12 questions correctly in a recent proficiency test.
Editor's note: This report includes contributions from WPEC.