Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday the decision to withhold $40 million from California due to the state's non-compliance with federal English language requirements for truck drivers. This comes in the wake of a deadly crash in Florida involving a foreign truck driver who made an illegal U-turn.
An investigation highlighted California's inadequate enforcement of English language proficiency rules set forth by federal directives following President Donald Trump's executive orders. Investigators found that the driver in question had been issued a commercial license despite failing to meet the English language standards that are supposed to disqualify non-compliant drivers.
California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement. This is a fundamental safety issue that impacts you and your family on America’s road, said Duffy in a statement.
The crash, which resulted in three fatalities, has intensified scrutiny on California's licensing practices and raised questions about the immigration status of the involved driver, who is now facing vehicular homicide charges.
Amidst these developments, Governor Gavin Newsom's office defended the state's practices, asserting that California truck drivers actually exhibit a lower crash rate than the national average. Yet, the Transportation Department insists that California must comply with English language requirements and ensure roadside inspections accurately assess drivers’ language skills to avoid further funding penalties.
As tensions escalate, both state and federal officials continue exchanging criticisms regarding the incident and the responsibilities tied to truck driver licenses, creating a charged political atmosphere surrounding transportation regulations.
