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FLORIDA - Florida Senator Ashley Moody has introduced federal legislation aimed at strengthening safety requirements for commercial truck drivers following a fatal crash on the Florida Turnpike that killed three people.
The bill, called the Safer Truckers Act, was announced Wednesday and would require all commercial drivers to prove U.S. residency and demonstrate English proficiency before receiving a commercial driver’s license.
States that do not follow the proposed guidelines could lose federal funding.
The legislation follows a crash on August 12 north of West Palm Beach involving 28-year-old Harjinder Singh, who is originally from India.
According to police reports, Singh allegedly attempted a wide left U-turn across the highway median with his semi-truck, leaving the trailer blocking the northbound lanes.
A minivan traveling behind the truck could not avoid the obstruction, killing the driver and two passengers.
Singh and a passenger in his truck were reportedly unharmed.
Singh has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide under Florida law and faces potential immigration-related charges.
Florida authorities say Singh allegedly entered the United States illegally from Mexico in 2018.
California officials report that the federal government had issued him a work permit at the time he received a California driver’s license.
Moody said the bill aims to prevent similar accidents by requiring commercial drivers to be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents who can read and understand English sufficiently to follow road signs and communicate with law enforcement.
The Florida Trucking Association expressed support for the bill, noting it would close loopholes that allow unqualified drivers to operate commercial vehicles and help improve highway safety.
The crash and proposed legislation have drawn attention to trucking safety standards, immigration compliance, and federal oversight.