DRIVERS could be banned from US roads if they fail new English-language checks at weigh stations under a tough crackdown on truckers.
The sweeping new plan was unveiled in Florida, where Congressman Byron Donalds introduced the “Weigh station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act.”
The move comes after a horror crash on the Florida Turnpike involving driver Harjinder Singh, who is accused of making an illegal U-turn that killed three people[/caption]
The bill, officially H.R. 5177, would make every weigh station along interstate highways check Commercial Driver’s Licences (CDLs) for irregularities, and test truckers’ English Language Proficiency (ELP).
Donalds said it would enforce President Trump’s April 28 executive order, which called for “commonsense rules of the road” to be applied nationwide.
He warned that any state refusing to comply could lose its authority to issue CDLs and even risk losing federal highway funding.
The move comes after a horror crash on the Florida Turnpike involving driver Harjinder Singh, who is accused of making an illegal U-turn that killed three people.
US transport officials later said Singh had failed an English language test and accused several states, including California, Washington and New Mexico, of not properly enforcing the rules.
The Department of Transportation even threatened to withhold federal funding unless states cracked down.
Donalds said: “The failure of states to enforce basic and commonsense requirements for truckers is putting every American motorist at risk.
“Safety must be the standard, not the exception.”
Florida has already begun ramping up checks at its weigh stations.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) confirmed that its agents are now stationed at checkpoints to carry out inspections with federal and state partners.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said: “If you drive a truck through our interdiction stations, you’re prepared for us to check your load for bugs and drugs.
“Because of President Trump, we now do so much more.”
He added that nearly 150 illegal immigrants — including “murderers and child predators”, had been removed from Florida’s roads since the start of the crackdown.
Simpson said truckers unable to communicate in English would be reported.
“If you can’t read our signs, you shouldn’t be on our roads. Ag law will find those who violate our laws and we will ensure that justice is served,” he said.
Critics argue the bill could unfairly target immigrant drivers and slow down freight traffic, but supporters say it is needed to prevent more deadly crashes.
The proposal will now go before Congress, where it is expected to spark heated debate over road safety, trucking regulations and immigration enforcement.
The Department of Transportation even threatened to withhold federal funding unless states cracked down[/caption]
