A highway showdown is in the offing as the Trump administration slams the brakes on $40 million in federal funding to California over a critical safety regulation, as the Daily Caller reports.
The crux of the matter is California’s refusal to enforce a longstanding Department of Transportation rule requiring commercial truck drivers to prove English proficiency, a decision now costing the state dearly while spotlighting national roadway safety concerns.
This saga began with a tragic crash in Florida, where an unauthorized migrant truck driver, Harjinder Singh, caused the deaths of three people by making an illegal U-turn on the Turnpike near Port St. Lucie.
Singh, an Indian national who entered the U.S. unlawfully in 2018, somehow obtained his Commercial Driver’s License in California despite failing an English proficiency test miserably -- getting just two of 12 verbal questions right.
Video evidence of the incident shows Singh’s truck blocking all lanes during the illegal maneuver, leading to a devastating collision with a black car.
Following this horrific event, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement, uncovered Singh’s unauthorized status and charged him with three counts of vehicular homicide in August.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, speaking on Fox Business’ The Bottom Line, didn’t mince words about the broader implications of such negligence. “There have been so many car semi-crashes across the country that relate back to drivers who can’t speak the language, or they don’t understand road signs minimally, incredibly dangerous for anyone who drives on our roadways,” Duffy stated.
While many states previously ignored the English proficiency rule for CDL exams, the Trump administration sent notices demanding compliance -- and every state but California stepped up to the plate.
California’s defiance, under Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom’s watch, has led to the withholding of $40 million in federal funds, a move that could hit the state’s Highway Patrol hard.
Duffy pointed out the simplicity of the rule and the stakes involved. “This is really simple. It’s a longstanding rule that hadn’t been enforced by prior administrations,” Duffy told Fox Business, emphasizing the need for drivers of 18-wheelers and school buses to speak and understand English.
Let’s not pretend this is about anything other than safety -- drivers who can’t read signs or communicate in emergencies are a rolling risk to everyone on the road. California’s stance seems more about political posturing than protecting its citizens.
A spokesperson for Newsom’s office fired back, claiming, “The facts are plain and simple -- California commercial driver’s license holders had a fatal crash rate nearly 40% LOWER than the national average.” But stats aside, ignoring a basic safety rule isn’t a flex -- it’s a gamble with lives.
On the national front, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an immediate pause on worker visas for commercial truck drivers, citing the growing number of foreign drivers posing risks on American roads.
Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows 16% of truck drivers were born outside the U.S. as of 2023, a figure that underscores the need for strict, uniform standards. While diversity in the workforce isn’t the issue, ensuring every driver can navigate our highways safely must be non-negotiable.
California may argue it’s being unfairly targeted, but when Texas -- the only state with more commercial license holders -- boasts a fatal crash rate nearly 50% higher, it’s clear this isn’t just a Golden State problem. The Trump administration’s hard line might sting, but it’s a wake-up call for safety over politics. Let’s hope California gets the message before more lives are lost.
