On Wednesday, Sen. Roger Marshall of R-Kan will propose legislation mandating that future truck drivers and other commercial operators demonstrate proficiency in reading, speaking, and understanding English before acquiring their licenses.
“It stands to reason that individuals operating heavy trucks and trailers on American roads should be able to comprehend road signs and effectively communicate with law enforcement,” Marshall stated in a release to the Federalists. “Kansans deserve assurance that commercial drivers adhere to the highest safety standards. We take pride in introducing legislation ensuring that those behind the wheel of our largest vehicles can grasp the official American language.”
“The lack of English proficiency among commercial truck drivers poses a serious safety risk. The previous administration’s failure to enforce this crucial regulation compromises road safety and places all drivers in jeopardy. We are committed to collaborating with Senator Marshall to reinstate this vital safety measure. This law represents a straightforward and prudent step towards enhancing the safety of our roads and highways for everyone.”
The current law stipulates that commercial vehicle drivers must be able to read and speak English well enough to interact with the public, understand traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and document reports and records.
However, this law lacks robust enforcement mechanisms.
The Commercial Vehicle English Proficiency Act seeks to amend Title 49 by necessitating that future driver tests assess the ability to read and comprehend English, allowing for understanding of traffic signs, communication with law enforcement, and providing and receiving instructions. Tests must also be administered in English.
This law follows a recent presidential order from President Donald Trump asserting that “English proficiency should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers.”
“They must be able to read and understand traffic signs and communicate with officers from the Road Safety, Border Patrol, Agriculture Checkpoints, and Cargo Weight Differences Bureau,” the order emphasized. “This is common sense.”
“This new order reverses a 2016 memorandum from the Obama administration that eliminated the requirement to disqualify drivers for English proficiency violations and eased enforcement standards,” according to Newsweek.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy later ordered a truck driver who lacked English proficiency to leave the road.
Brianna Lyman is a federalist election correspondent. She graduated from Fordham University with a degree in International Politics and Economics. Her work has appeared in Newsmax, Fox News, Fox Business, and RealClearPolitics. Follow Brianna on X @Briannalyman2
Source: thefederalist.com