Operation SafeDRIVE Cracks Down on Unlicensed Drivers
What seemed like ordinary stops at weigh stations for some truck drivers turned into something much larger in January, as federal safety officials conducted a nationwide crackdown. This operation, called Operation SafeDRIVE (Distracted, Reckless, Impaired, and Visible), spanned trucking routes across 26 states and the District of Columbia from January 13 to 15. It resulted in nearly 2,000 unlicensed drivers and other motorists being removed from the roads, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
During the crackdown, officials administered over 8,200 tests, which led to 704 drivers being suspended or removed from service. Around 500 truck drivers faced penalties for not meeting the required standard of English proficiency. The operation also deemed about 1,200 vehicles unroadworthy, and 56 individuals were arrested, with some suspected of drunk driving and illegal immigration.
Conducted in collaboration with state law enforcement, USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy noted the initiative’s importance. He emphasized the need for strong safety standards to protect families and reduce accidents.
The impetus for this initiative stemmed from concerns that commercial permits were being granted to undocumented individuals and those with limited English skills. This issue gained attention last August when an incident involving an illegal immigrant named Harijinder Singh resulted in a deadly crash in Florida, claiming the lives of three people. Singh, who held a California license, is facing three counts of vehicular homicide.
Reports suggest California has been a hub for issuing illegal commercial driver’s licenses, with federal regulators attributing the problem to Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration. This crackdown in January followed another serious incident where an illegal alien truck driver, after a fatal crash in Indiana that took four innocent lives, was apprehended. Bekzan Bayshekeyev, a Kyrgyz national, allegedly entered the U.S. through a controversial app introduced by the Biden administration.
On February 3, during the accident, Bayshekeyev reportedly failed to stop his vehicle in time, colliding with a van carrying multiple passengers. This tragedy has further fueled scrutiny over licensing practices, particularly in New York, which has been criticized for its permitting processes and lack of collaboration with immigration authorities.
In other alarming incidents, a driver in Oklahoma without proper documentation was arrested after passing through a weigh station. His New York-issued commercial driver’s license had “NO NAME” printed on it, and subsequent identification confirmed his status as an undocumented immigrant.
Concerns have grown regarding the verification processes in New York state, prompting officials to call for better checks on applicants for commercial driver’s licenses.
