Washington — Today, following U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's announcement on new actions being taken to enforce English proficiency requirements for commercial truck operators, American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear issued this statement:
"Secretary Duffy’s announcement today is a necessary and welcome step toward ensuring safety and accountability on our nation’s highways. Federal English Language Proficiency requirements exist for a reason: every commercial driver operating in the United States must be able to read road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and understand safety instructions. When states fail to enforce these standards, they put lives at risk.
"The vast majority of professional drivers meet these requirements and take pride in their responsibility to keep America moving safely. But allowing bad actors to bypass the law undermines that commitment and threatens the credibility of the entire system.
"ATA has long supported strict enforcement of English proficiency standards, along with the broader regulatory framework that keeps our roads safe and fair. We commend the Trump Administration for holding states accountable, and we urge swift, consistent action to close these dangerous loopholes. Safety must never be optional."