"An investigation launched after a deadly Florida crash involving a foreign truck driver who made an illegal U-turn on Aug. 12 found what Duffy called significant failures in the way California is enforcing rules that took effect in June after one of President Donald Trump's executive orders. California had issued the driver a commercial license, but these English rules predate the crash. Truckers are supposed to be disqualified if they can't demonstrate English proficiency, and Duffy said the driver involved in the crash should not have been given a commercial license because of his immigration status."
"The crash has become increasingly political, with the governors of California and Florida criticizing each other and Duffy highlighting the administration's immigration concerns in interviews. 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, Duffy said."
"California defended its practices in a formal response to the Transportation Department last month, but federal officials weren't satisfied. The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom quickly pushed back after the announcement Wednesday. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for the governor, said statistics show that California commercial truck drivers have a lower crash rate than the national average. But Duffy said when he announced his concerns in August that California had conducted roughly 34,000 inspections that found at least one violation since the new language standards took effect. But only one inspection involved an English language rules violation that resulted in a driver being taken out of service."
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a $40 million withholding from California for alleged failures to enforce English language requirements for commercial truck drivers. An investigation following a deadly Aug. 12 Florida crash involving a foreign truck driver found enforcement gaps after English proficiency rules took effect in June under a presidential executive order. California issued the involved driver a commercial license, though rules require disqualification for inability to demonstrate English proficiency and Duffy cited the driver's immigration status. The matter prompted political exchanges between state leaders; California defended its practices and cited a lower crash rate than the national average. Federal officials noted roughly 34,000 inspections with violations but only one English-related out-of-service action.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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