Connor Dzion’s death in 2017 in northern Florida serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for enforcing English language proficiency among commercial truck drivers. The accident, which claimed the life of an 18-year-old, was the result of a distracted truck driver who, unable to read English, ignored critical warning signs on the highway. This was not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern of preventable road safety tragedies that have been exacerbated by lax enforcement of common-sense requirements.
The introduction of Connor’s Law represents a legislative effort to address these issues by restoring the English language proficiency requirements for drivers holding a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) and Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) have spearheaded this initiative, which seeks to ensure that all CDL holders are required to read and speak English effectively to communicate with the public, understand traffic signs, and comply with legal obligations. These standards are not new; they have long been part of federal regulations, but their enforcement was weakened during the Obama administration, leaving a gap in safety protocols.
Under the Trump administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) took steps to reinstate enforcement of these requirements, issuing new guidance for inspectors to assess a driver’s English proficiency during roadside inspections. This included implementing verbal interviews and sign-recognition assessments to evaluate a driver’s ability to understand and follow instructions. Additionally, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) reinstated English proficiency as an out-of-service violation, reinforcing the importance of this standard.
Despite these efforts, state enforcement remains inconsistent, prompting the need for legislative action. Connor’s Law aims to eliminate this ambiguity by embedding these standards into law, providing clarity and authority for both state and federal authorities to enforce compliance. This legislation is seen as a crucial step toward improving highway safety and preventing similar tragedies.
Recent events, such as the fatal crash involving an undocumented truck driver in Florida, further underscore the urgency of this issue. The driver, who failed an English proficiency test, was involved in a collision that resulted in three fatalities. This incident, along with the death of Tyeler Harris and injury to Tiffany Gruetzmacher in Wyoming, highlights the real-world consequences of allowing drivers without adequate English skills to operate heavy commercial vehicles.
Wyoming’s experience with such incidents has prompted calls for stronger enforcement of these standards, particularly in light of the increasing use of variable message signs (VMS) on highways like I-80. These signs, which provide critical information about weather conditions and road hazards, are often misunderstood by non-English speakers, increasing the risk of accidents. By reinstating English proficiency requirements, Connor’s Law seeks to enhance safety for all road users and prevent future tragedies.
The proposal reflects a broader conservative stance on immigration and labor policies, emphasizing the protection of American workers and the importance of enforcing existing regulations. Critics, however, argue that such measures could disproportionately affect immigrant truck drivers and raise concerns about discrimination. Nonetheless, supporters maintain that the primary goal is to ensure road safety and hold all drivers to the same standards, regardless of their background.
As the debate over Connor’s Law continues, its passage could mark a significant shift in the enforcement of road safety regulations, setting a new precedent for the importance of language proficiency in commercial trucking across the United States.