America’s highways need urgent reforms to improve safety and protect lives, according to President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, following a deadly crash in Florida.
The crash, which left three people dead and several others injured, occurred when an illegal immigrant who had crossed the border in 2018 was operating an 80,000-pound commercial truck. The incident has sparked calls for stricter regulations on commercial driver licensing, with Trump and Duffy emphasizing the need to address the flaws in the current system.
Trump has proposed an executive action to review all CDLs issued in recent years, aiming to remove drivers who do not meet safety standards. Duffy has supported these measures, arguing that the system must be overhauled to prevent tragedies like the one in Florida. The pair believe that the current requirements, which allow for drivers with just a work permit or visa to operate, are too lenient and pose risks to public safety.
The FMCSA’s 2022 Entry Level Driver Training rules were supposed to enhance safety, but they have been criticized for containing loopholes. These include self-certification by employers and online schools, which have led to widespread fraudulent training practices. The lack of government oversight has resulted in the proliferation of unlicensed training schools, many of which are not properly vetted.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien and the American Trucking Association have joined the calls for reform, citing the need to restore integrity to the licensing system and protect the safety of all road users. With an average of 3,000 weekly truck accidents and 100 fatalities, the trucking industry is pushing for more rigorous standards to improve safety and reduce the risk of similar incidents.
The incident in Florida is seen as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for the government to enforce English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, shut down fraudulent training schools, and implement stronger oversight mechanisms. Only through these measures can the safety of America’s highways be improved, protecting both drivers and the communities they serve.