Federal Government Cuts $40M to California Over Trucker Language Rules
Funding Withheld from California Over Truck Driver Language Proficiency Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that he will be withholding $40 million from California, the only state that is not enforcing English language requirements for truck drivers. Background on Investigatio
Funding Withheld from California Over Truck Driver Language Proficiency
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that he will be withholding $40 million from California, the only state that is not enforcing English language requirements for truck drivers.
Background on Investigation
This decision follows an investigation prompted by a deadly accident in Florida involving a foreign truck driver who made an illegal U-turn on August 12. Duffy noted that California is significantly failing to apply the regulations that were enforced starting June, following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The driver had been issued a commercial license, even though these English requirements existed prior to the accident.
Safety Concerns Highlighted
Duffy stated that truck drivers must be disqualified if they cannot show English proficiency, criticizing that the driver involved in the crash should not have received a commercial license due to his immigration status. The incident has stirred political tensions, with California and Florida governors exchanging criticism, while Duffy emphasized the federal administration’s immigration concerns during interviews.
California’s Defense
In a formal response to the Transportation Department last month, California defended its licensing practices, noting that commercial truck drivers in the state have a lower crash rate compared to the national average. However, Duffy pointed out that of the 34,000 inspections conducted since the new language standards were implemented, only one resulted in an English language rule violation leading to a driver being taken out of service.
Conditions for Funding Reinstatement
The Transportation Department stated that in order for California to reclaim the withheld funding, it must enforce regulations that uphold the English requirements and ensure that state inspectors are adequately testing drivers’ English skills during roadside inspections.
Additional Threats to Funding
Alongside the English language issue, Duffy has also threatened to retract another $160 million from California over the state’s issuance of commercial driver’s licenses. He has previously tightened the qualifications for obtaining such licenses.
Ongoing Legal Matters
The accident in question resulted in the deaths of three people after truck driver Harjinder Singh made an illegal U-turn, leading to a collision with a minivan. Singh faces charges of vehicular homicide and immigration violations and is currently held without bond. While California maintains that he had a valid work permit at the time of licensing, Duffy and Florida officials blame California and Washington state for granting him a commercial driver’s license despite his immigration status.