California Faces Funding Cut Over Truck Driver English Skills
Washington, D.C. – The federal government is planning to withhold $40 million from California. This action comes after concerns were raised about the state’s commitment to ensuring truck drivers can understand English. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the decision, emphasizing the importance of clear communication for road safety.
The move follows an incident in Florida where an illegal immigrant truck driver, Harjinder Singh, caused a fatal accident. Singh had a commercial license issued by California, even though questions arose about his English skills. Federal officials are worried that California isn’t doing enough to make sure drivers can read road signs and talk to law enforcement.
Secretary Duffy stated that English proficiency is a basic safety requirement. He emphasized that all drivers should understand traffic laws and be able to communicate effectively.
California officials claim their drivers have a good safety record. A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom argued that California’s truck drivers have a lower accident rate than the national average. They accuse the Trump administration of ignoring facts.
However, federal officials insist on the importance of enforcing existing rules. They point out that the Florida accident shows what can happen when drivers don’t understand English. To get the funding back, California needs to show it’s testing drivers’ English skills. This includes roadside checks to remove unqualified drivers from our roads. The federal government believes this is a necessary step to protect all Americans.
