Reports by AP News indicate that there are new English-language rules for truck drivers. As simple as it sounds, it is going to cost people jobs. President Donald Trump issued an executive order that considers drivers who cannot read or speak English proficiently unfit for the job. They would not be allowed to drive in the U.S. Reports indicate that the main reason for the strict measures is to enhance road safety.
The rule in detail
The U.S. DOT has called for enhanced inspections to accommodate the English-language rule changes. The aim is to confirm if a driver can read and understand directions in English. The other reason is to determine whether they understand road signs and roadside electronic message boards. Truckers who speak English as a second language are worried about losing their jobs. They fear making mistakes during the inspection. They are now watching tutorials and other guides to polish their responses. If not subjective, the inspections would endanger their jobs, given the high risk of being misunderstood. The main aim is to improve road safety. Safety starts with clearly understanding all road signs and instructions.
Are these requirements really new?
Requiring truck drivers to speak and read English is not new. What is new is the severe penalty for not meeting the requirements. To get a CDL, one must take and pass a written exam. They must also know the parts of the trucks. The policies initially allowed truckers with limited proficiency not to be put out of service. FMCSA states that it is always about safety. Todd Spencer also reiterated the risks involved with the lack of proficiency in English. The language barrier has led to accidents and other road incidents.
Most drivers understand the basic road signs. But now, when it comes to temporary road warnings, written in words would be quite a problem for some. The quicker one gets to understand and read English, the easier it is for them to adapt. It is quite a tough measure, but the drivers need to understand to stay safe.
How will the rule work?
Many times, roadside inspections occur at weigh stations. Sometimes randomly, and sometimes due to some visible faults with the trucks. Now, with the new rules, inspectors will test the driver's English. The test will be if they suspect any sort of language barrier. Initially, drivers would use translation apps. In this new guidance, it would entirely be up to how well the driver understands English. The use of translation apps would not help understand road signs, and that's why the apps would be of no use in this case.
The intention of the Trump administration is safety. Even FMCSA understands that all they want is to improve road safety so that all road users are safe. Road safety starts from simple things like understanding road signs and other instructions to complex ones like good infrastructure. Understanding English is essential not only to authorities but also to drivers and their employers. Proficient English would help drivers keep good records while in transit. The consequences of not having good proficiency in English are quite tough now. But drivers must take the initiative to ensure that they meet the standards not just for the authorities but also for their own good.
