A tragic crash in Florida, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals, has prompted Transport Secretary Shawn Duffy to address concerns regarding the state’s licensing regulations for commercial drivers. Interestingly, two of the three states mentioned by Duffy assert they are in compliance with the necessary rules.
The incident was allegedly linked to Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India, who was involved in the crash while executing an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike on August 12. Singh possessed a commercial driver’s license issued in California, previously holding one in Washington. He mentioned encountering an issue during a traffic stop in New Mexico where certain doses were not administered.
Now, Duffy faces the potential loss of federal funding for Florida, either through a 30-day compliance period or a motor carrier safety assistance program that could be affected.
“We will not accept non-compliance from any state regarding our guidelines,” Duffy stated during a press conference on Tuesday.
In light of the crash, there’s an ongoing investigation into how illegal immigrant drivers managed to obtain licenses prior to this fatal event.
Federal officials revealed that Singh was unsuccessful on both English proficiency and road sign tests. The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom has implied that they were following federal directives when Singh’s license was issued, attributing some responsibility to the Trump administration.
Newsom’s spokesperson remarked on the irony, suggesting that the Trump administration’s actions contributed to the situation, adding more context and complexity to the narrative.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Advisor Tricia McLaughlin has disputed the timeline provided by Newsom regarding Singh’s employment authorization under the previous administration.
According to McLaughlin, Singh entered the U.S. illegally and his job approval was denied under Trump but later approved under Biden in 2021.
A representative for New Mexico’s Governor emphasized confidence in the state’s compliance with laws concerning commercial driver’s licenses, asserting the need for proper testing to ensure driver awareness of road signs.
Additionally, the Washington State Licensing Office is currently investigating how Singh was able to secure a commercial driver’s license there, and Duffy’s recent announcements are being scrutinized for their implications on public safety.
“The priority remains the safety of everyone on the roads,” Duffy concluded, highlighting the importance of ensuring that those driving large vehicles can comprehend the necessary signage.
