Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Oct 16: The Trump administration has announced it will withhold $40 million in federal funding from California due to the state’s refusal to enforce English language requirements for commercial truck drivers. The move was highlighted by US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who cited safety concerns following the August crash involving Indian trucker Harjinder Singh, which killed three people in Florida.

Singh, who held a California-issued commercial license, made an illegal U-turn that led to the fatalities. Investigators noted that Singh had failed an English proficiency test but was still issued a license and had entered the US illegally in 2018. He is currently held without bond, facing vehicular homicide and immigration charges. Duffy said, “California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement. This is a fundamental safety issue.”

California officials, however, defended the state’s licensing system. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom, highlighted that California’s commercial drivers have a lower crash rate than the national average. She added, “Facts don’t lie, although for the Trump Administration, they seem optional.” California also noted that Singh had a valid work permit at the time of the crash.

The dispute underscores tensions between federal authorities and California over safety regulations and licensing enforcement, with billions in federal transportation funds at stake.