Evaluating the Necessity of English Proficiency Enforcement for Road Safety

In an increasingly globalized world, effective communication is essential for ensuring safety on the roads, particularly in diverse regions where multiple languages coexist. The rise in international travel and migration has led to a greater number of non-native English speakers operating vehicles in English-speaking countries. This reality raises important questions regarding the necessity of enforcing English proficiency among drivers as a measure to enhance road safety. While proponents argue that a strong command of English facilitates clearer communication with law enforcement, emergency services, and other road users, opponents caution against potential discrimination and the overlooking of broader safety measures. This article aims to critically evaluate the necessity and implications of English proficiency enforcement in the context of road safety. By examining case studies, statistical data, and expert opinions, we will explore the balance between effective communication and equitable practices. Ultimately, we seek to determine whether mandating English proficiency is a viable solution for improving road safety or if there are more inclusive approaches that can adequately address the challenges posed by language barriers on the road. Through this analysis, we hope to contribute to an informed dialogue about the intersection of language, safety, and policy in an era of multicultural mobility.

Trump Administration Reinstates ELP as Out-of-Service Violation

In a contentious revival of a previous policy, the Trump administration, under the leadership of Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, has reinstated English language proficiency (ELP) as a basis for classifying commercial drivers as out-of-service (OOS).

“My Administration is committed to enforcing laws designed to safeguard American truckers, drivers, passengers, and the public at large. This includes the enforcement of regulations that mandate any individual operating a commercial vehicle to be adequately qualified and proficient in English, our national language,” declared the executive order.

This decision marks a departure from a 2016 ruling by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and a 2014 resolution by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), which had previously eliminated ELP from the list of OOS violations. Those prior rulings were based on a lack of compelling evidence linking limited English proficiency to highway safety risks.

The 2016 FMCSA ruling gave enforcement officers discretion to evaluate the seriousness of language-related violations and determine whether they warranted an out-of-service designation. This approach aimed to balance legal requirements with the practical realities faced by drivers, particularly in regions with diverse linguistic populations.

Evaluating the Impact of ELP Violations Nationwide

Recent analyses from FTR Intelligence and Carrier Details highlight that over the past two years, approximately 15,134 ELP violations have been documented in the FMCSA’s database. These violations affected roughly 13,000 unique vehicles based on their VINs, with Texas accounting for the highest share—16% of the total violations. California followed with 9.8%, and Illinois, New Jersey, and Florida each contributed about 7.5%.

Though trucks with Mexican license plates represented only 3.4% of the violations, this may not reflect the full picture. Carriers based in border towns, especially Laredo, Texas, were responsible for nearly 13% of all ELP infractions. All seven of the top carriers cited for these violations were based in Laredo, pointing to a regional concentration of the issue.

Enforcement patterns also varied significantly by state. Pennsylvania topped the list in ELP citations, trailed by Arizona, Tennessee, New York, and Kansas. Surprisingly, Wyoming ranked eighth despite being the least populated state, and federal border inspections came in sixth overall.

Historically, enforcement of ELP violations has declined. In 2013, nearly 83,000 ELP violations were recorded, with 3,700 leading to out-of-service orders. That number peaked in 2014, with over 100,000 violations before ELP was removed from the OOS criteria.

ELP Enforcement and Actual Safety Risks

By 2018 and 2019, citations for ELP violations dropped to about 9,000 annually, and that figure fell further to 7,500 by 2024. This decline was likely influenced by the FMCSA’s 2016 guidance allowing translation aids like cue cards and language apps, which may now be discouraged or disallowed under the new policy.

Interestingly, about 40% of cited carriers were intrastate operators, meaning their operations had limited national implications. Furthermore, it is unclear whether language barriers were directly responsible for accidents or were simply associated with other compliance challenges or misunderstandings of regulations.

To accurately assess the real risks to highway safety, it is vital to consider more than just language proficiency. The latest FMCSA safety studies indicate that driver fatigue, logging violations, expired licenses, and drug or alcohol abuse remain the leading factors in unsafe driving conditions.

For example, hours-of-service violations were a consistent issue, with fatigued driving being a top contributor to accidents. False logs, non-compliance with electronic logging devices (ELDs), and expired medical certificates also present critical safety concerns that merit greater attention.

Data-Driven Indicators of Unsafe Driving

The American Transportation Research Institute’s 2022 Crash Predictor report reinforces this perspective. Analyzing over 583,000 drivers, the study found that specific behaviors—such as reckless driving, improper signaling, prior crashes, and failure to yield—were the strongest indicators of future accidents.

Drivers with a history of reckless driving were found to be 114% more likely to be involved in a crash. Improper signaling increased crash risk by 89%, while prior crash involvement raised it by 88%. These statistics highlight the importance of focusing on actual driving behaviors, rather than peripheral compliance issues like language proficiency.

Despite the push to prioritize ELP, both the FMCSA and CVSA have, in recent years, directed their efforts toward more impactful safety initiatives. These include the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which in 2024 alone logged over 62,000 violations, primarily involving marijuana and cocaine.

The rollout of tamper-resistant ELDs is another initiative designed to improve compliance with hours-of-service rules and reduce fatigue-related crashes. These programs have shown promise in promoting road safety without targeting language proficiency.

Weighing the Efficacy of ELP Enforcement

While there may be a correlation between ELP violations and crash rates, the cause-and-effect relationship remains speculative. According to a National Transportation Safety Board report, many inspectors cite a lack of regulatory understanding—not unsafe driving—as the real issue among non-English-speaking operators.

During compliance audits, enforcement agencies reported that their primary objective was education. They found that carriers with longer histories and prior interventions tended to have improved compliance over time, even when language barriers existed.

The 2016 policy that removed ELP from the OOS criteria aimed to leverage education, translation tools, and multilingual resources to bridge communication gaps. Reinstating ELP as an OOS violation could potentially reverse this progress, creating confusion without a clear link to improved safety.

Taking drivers off the road solely for lacking English proficiency—without evidence of impaired driving—may not only create operational hurdles but also erode trust between drivers and enforcement officers.

Conclusion: A Misguided Focus on Safety Priorities

Reinstating English language proficiency as an out-of-service violation may appeal to those advocating for stricter regulation, but it risks diverting attention from the most pressing safety concerns on American roads. The data overwhelmingly shows that behaviors like fatigued driving, drug use, and falsified logs are far more predictive of crashes than language barriers. Additionally, with 94% of FMCSA-regulated carriers lacking any safety rating, the broader issue appears to be enforcement capacity, not linguistic compliance. Ultimately, while communication is important for safety, effective solutions should prioritize education and technology over punitive measures. Redirecting resources to tackle the real threats—unsafe driving habits, outdated qualifications, and impaired operation—would likely yield far greater improvements in road safety for all.

Stay Ahead of Compliance and Safety Standards  

As the trucking industry navigates shifting regulations like the reinstatement of English proficiency requirements and ongoing concerns around driver qualifications, staying compliant has never been more critical. At Labworks USA, we’re here to help carriers and drivers meet essential DOT requirements with confidence. Whether you need assistance with drug and alcohol testing, FMCSA Clearinghouse registration, or staying up to date with random testing protocols, our experienced team is ready to support you every step of the way. For trusted guidance and resources that help you operate safely and legally—connect with Labworks USA today.

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