The Wilmington Standard Daily Update for November 19, 2025

The update highlights concerns about truck drivers lacking English proficiency leading to safety risks. Representative Harrigan mentioned instances of drivers failing exams yet retaining licenses due to lax regulations. Tragic accidents have occurred, emphasizing the need for stricter language requirements. Proposed bills aim to establish consistent national standards for all drivers, emphasizing the importance of English proficiency for operating heavy vehicles. This is the Wilmington Standard daily update for Wednesday, November 19th, 2025. Just who exactly is driving that big rig barreling up behind you? As reported in the Center Square, according to U.S. Representative from North Carolina Pat Harrigan, it might be someone who cannot understand even basic English. A driver failed his CDL exam ten times, failed his English test, had expired paperwork, and still kept a commercial license because states treat basic safety rules like suggestions, said Representative Harrigan. Families on the road have no control over that, but they have to live with the consequences. The trucking industry seems to bear this out. According to Overdrive Online, a survey of over 4,600 truckers revealed that fully 10 to 25 percent of all truckers on the road cannot meet English language proficiency standards. A family of three in Florida last August was killed by an illegal immigrant who had no basic understanding of English and who made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike. He failed both the English and road proficiency tests, but still was able to get a commercial driver's license in both California and Washington. A rule change by the Department of Transportation allowed inspectors to take drivers who failed basic English immediately out of service. A federal judge blocked the rule, once again opening our nation's highways to drivers who cannot read road signs. Congressman David Rausser, Pat Harrigan, and others have all introduced bills to address this issue. According to Representative Harrigan, it creates one clear national requirement so every driver meets the same baseline and every family can trust the standards that are supposed to protect them. Illegal immigrants should not be driving trucks which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. And no matter what your status, you need to know English. For the Wellington Standard, I'm Will Sample. Thanks for listening.