Senator Ashley Moody’s Bill Aims to Strengthen CDL Requirements, Tie Compliance to Federal Funding
In the wake of a tragic accident in Florida that killed three people, the Florida Trucking Association (FTA) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA) have voiced strong support for the “Safer Truckers Act,” a new bill introduced by Senator Ashley Moody. The proposed legislation seeks to mandate stricter licensing requirements for commercial truck drivers nationwide.
The bill, introduced following a fatal crash caused by an unqualified driver, addresses two key areas: U.S. residency and English proficiency for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders. It proposes that states must only issue CDLs to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or valid work visa holders.
READ: Florida Officials Take Action Against California Trucking Company In Fatal U-Turn Crash
Additionally, it requires states to report on their enforcement of English proficiency standards, ensuring that drivers can read and understand critical road signs and warnings. States that fail to comply with these new standards would risk losing federal funding from the Department of Transportation.
The need for this legislation was highlighted by the August 12 crash on the Florida Turnpike, where an illegal immigrant commercial driver, Harjinder Singh, made an illegal U-turn, leading to the deaths of three people. According to the Department of Transportation, the driver had a CDL issued by both California and Washington but reportedly failed his English proficiency test, correctly answering only two of 12 verbal questions and identifying just one of four traffic signs.
Both the FTA and ATA see the bill as a crucial step toward enhancing road safety.
READ: Illegal Immigrant Trucker Who Killed 3 In Florida Extradited From California By Lt. Governor
“The recent crash in Florida was a preventable tragedy,” said Henry Hanscom, Senior VP of Legislative Affairs for the ATA. He emphasized the industry’s support for “stronger enforcement measures that remove dangerous, unqualified drivers from our nation’s highways.”
Alix Miller, President and CEO of the FTA, echoed this, stating, “The number one priority for the trucking industry is safety.” She praised the bill for its potential to “close loopholes that have allowed unauthorized and unqualified drivers to operate heavy commercial vehicles.”
Senator Moody asserted that being able to read road signs in English “isn’t optional… it’s the job.” She added that states must be held accountable for ensuring the safety of their roadways and should forfeit federal funds if they do not. The bill’s provisions are intended to provide a mechanism for the federal government to compel compliance from so-called “sanctuary states.”
READ: Three Haitian Immigrants From Indiana Identified In Florida Fatal Trucker U-Turn Crash
The “Safer Truckers Act” builds on existing federal standards for CDL issuance by adding these two new requirements, directly linking a state’s compliance to its eligibility for federal funding.
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