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
Farmland values remain stable, but weakened credit conditions and lower expected farm income signal tighter financial margins heading into 2026.
Bangladesh recently pledged to purchase 700,000 tons of U.S. wheat and has also become a new buyer of American soybeans.
Ethanol exports are expanding on strong demand from Canada and Europe, while DDGS shipments remain broad-based and supportive for feed markets.
Jerry Cosgrove with American Farmland Trust explains why farmers and ranchers should start their estate planning now.
Elizabeth Strom of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined RFD-TV to provide the latest perspective on post-harvest business planning and cropland markets in the Midwest.
Dalton Henry, with U.S. Wheat Associates, joined RFD-TV to provide insight on what the pending trade frameworks may mean for American wheat growers.