President Donald Trump Signs Executive Order Requiring Truck Drivers Speak English
'They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,' relayed the order. 'Drivers need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English. This is common sense.'
Trump continued to detail, 'My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, including by upholding the safety enforcement regulations that ensure that anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English.'
According to Newsweek, the Enforcing Commonsense Rules Of The Road For America's Truck Drivers order reversed a 2016 memorandum 'issued during former President Barack Obama's administration, which removed the requirement to place drivers out of service for English Language Proficiency (ELP) violations and eased enforcement standards.'
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association Todd Peters shared his organization's support of the order with the outlet via email. In his message, he communicated the following:
'OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent strongly support President Trump's decision to resume enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers. Basic English skills are essential for reading critical road signs, understanding emergency instructions, and interacting with law enforcement. Road signs save lives—but only when they're understood. That's why OOIDA petitioned the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance earlier this year to reinstate English proficiency as an out-of-service violation. Today's announcement is a welcome step toward restoring a common-sense safety standard.'
As noted by Jalopnik, truck drivers have already proven their English-speaking capabilities, as they must pass a physical exam, drug test, prove they are legally able to work in the country, pass a written exam, a driving skills test, and a road test, which are all carried out in English.
'You might not know, but there's a lot of communication problems between truckers on the road with federal officials and local officials, as well, which obviously is a public safety risk,' remarked White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on the matter, per The Hill.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is tasked with issuing new guidance to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and enforcement personnel outlining revised inspection procedures necessary to ensure compliance with the new requirements.
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