Concerns Over Texas Truck Drivers’ English Proficiency
A recent report from American Truckers United highlights that Texas companies are at the forefront of hiring truck drivers who lack English reading and comprehension skills. This issue has gained significant attention following several accidents, including a serious multi-vehicle incident in Austin earlier this year.
“Texas is largely responsible for the presence of non-English speaking truck drivers on American highways,” one truck driver mentioned in a social media post last Friday. “Many of them are from Texas.” A graph shared by the organization indicates that Texas leads the nation in out-of-service orders issued to drivers for failing to meet English proficiency standards, with approximately 800 such orders compared to Illinois’ under 350.
Shannon Everett, a representative for US truck drivers, expressed concerns about the Texas trucking industry, stating it favors cheaper labor at the expense of safety. “What starts as a Texas issue escalates into a national emergency when these drivers are sent across the country,” Everett noted.
In a related development, it’s been reported that President Trump intends to sign an executive order mandating that truck drivers demonstrate English proficiency. According to a document shared with Breitbart News, “President Trump sees English as an essential safety requirement for professional drivers,” since it enables communication with safety officials and comprehension of traffic signs.
However, a report from the Dallas ABC affiliate states that Texas is unlikely to enforce English proficiency for truck drivers operating solely within the state. Internal communications from Texas Department of Public Safety officials indicate that legislative changes would be needed to implement such a requirement.
In response to inquiries, Governor Abbott’s spokesperson asserted that the governor expects Texas trucking companies to comply with the president’s order. Safety remains the state’s top priority, they added. Meanwhile, this matter has been forwarded to the governor’s office for their consideration.
In June, another incident was reported where a Cuban immigrant was arrested for creating traffic jams in Texas and was charged with multiple counts of manslaughter. This case raised additional questions about language proficiency, as it was claimed that the accused did not speak English, although this has not been verified through police inquiries.
Another truck driver, Solomun Weldekir Araya, faced charges related to another deadly crash. Witnesses reported that he communicated in Tigrina, yet he was also said to understand English. However, it remained unclear whether police assessed his English proficiency.
The ongoing discussions have sparked a broader debate about state versus federal regulations concerning driver standards. Some truck driver advocates argue that federal law should take precedence. A recent petition by Texas DPS aims to seek approval for regulations that would facilitate the use of foreign-issued permits, but concerns about fraudulent activities have been raised.
Everett echoed these concerns in a communication to Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, advocating for stricter controls on foreign commercial driver’s licenses and emphasizing the need for safer practices in the trucking industry. “These practices not only undermine American workers but also pose significant safety risks,” he stated.
