Transportation Secretary Announces Action Against States Over ELP Violations
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy will address three states on Tuesday for allegedly failing to enforce federal English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial truck drivers.
This announcement follows a crash on the Florida Turnpike involving an undocumented driver, resulting in three fatalities. The driver, Harjinder Singh, entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and faces multiple criminal charges. He was denied bond due to being labeled a flight risk after fleeing to California the day after the incident.
Duffy emphasized the necessity for drivers to comprehend English and road signs. “You must be able to speak English and understand road signs to operate a truck,” he stated on Fox News. Federal records indicate Singh acquired commercial driver’s licenses in Washington and California despite his undocumented status.
Federal investigators assessed Singh’s proficiency after the crash, reporting he only correctly answered 2 of 12 verbal questions and identified one of four signs. Singh was employed by White Hawk Carriers, a California trucking company now under federal investigation, with data reflecting a higher-than-average rate of vehicles removed from service.
Authorities continue to investigate the matter and its implications on roadway safety.
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