Several truckers across the country face new obstacles following President Donald Trump’s executive order to ensure all commercial drivers become proficient in English.
The resting spot in the Jurupa Valley placed emphasis on the president’s new policies. Some commercial drivers who didn’t want to go to cameras said the policy was racist and targeted a group of drivers of their choice. But others told the NBCLA that it was a safety issue and not speaking English is a major barrier on the road.
“I’ve seen a lot of drivers and they probably don’t see the signs, they can’t read the signs about speed, or they can’t be in the third lane. They see when they cross in front of you.”
From the Inland Empire to Los Angeles, truck drivers say communication is important when they’re behind the wheels of oversized trucks with heavy cargo.
“It can be very difficult, but in this country there are many benefits, like going to school and learning English for free. It’s a beautiful advantage in this country. Anything is possible,” said truck driver Craig Stein.
The Department of Transport’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says it recorded cases where drivers could not read signs and speak the language and could have contributed to a series of fatal accidents.
“Federal law is clear, drivers who can’t read or speak English well, speak our language, and understand that road signs are not entitled to drive commercial American cars, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said regarding the new policy.
For Diaz, she hopes that new changes will improve road safety.
“We understand that we have to come to another country and adapt to new rules and culture,” Diaz said. “We’re trying to do it with kids who have signs or kids like at school when you don’t speak the same language. We try to communicate.”
The purpose of the executive order aims to implement requirements that were already present in commercial drivers. It follows another one of the president’s executive orders, where he designated English as the official language of the United States.
The Transportation Department has 60 days to issue new guidance to deploy drivers who will place drivers who cannot read or speak English on duty.
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