Fatal crash in Florida heightens scrutiny on English proficiency enforcement for truck drivers

Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with his insights on the incident and a deeper dive into the issues at hand.

A fatal truck crash in Florida is raising concerns around Commercial Driver License (CDL) Standards and the importance of English proficiency for drivers. The U.S. transportation secretary is now threatening action against States that don’t comply with regulations.

Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with his insights. In his interview with RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander, Pugh explained how the accident occurred and the concerns it is raising.

Pugh, a supporter of these English proficiency regulations, also explained how the transportation industry could be affected if states are penalized for non-enforcement, as well as how the rules are critical to keeping drivers and the public safe while also ensuring that the U.S. supply chain continues running smoothly.

Related Stories
Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
Large-scale land purchases signal rising competition for ranchland, reinforcing its value while reshaping long-term access and control in rural agriculture.
Brian Earnest, an animal protein economist with CoBank, shares insights into current demand trends and the challenges facing broiler production.
Moderate oil prices may ease fuel costs, but continued caution in the energy sector could limit rural economic growth.
Decoupled base acres may amplify income inequality and distort planting decisions as farm program payments increase.
Oil-led rallies can move soybean prices quickly, but sustained gains will require continued strength in soybean oil and broader biofuel demand signals.