Legislation proposed after fatal crash involving undocumented immigrant truckers on Florida Turnpike

A Senate Republican is proposing new legislation to strengthen federal requirements for commercial driver's licenses following a tragic accident in Florida that claimed three lives. Senator Ashley Moody of Florida plans to introduce a bill that aims to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining commercial driver's licenses and enhance English language proficiency standards for these licenses. Moody emphasized the importance of English proficiency for commercial truck drivers in America, stating that it is a crucial aspect of the job. The legislation, named the Safer Truckers Act of 2025, comes in response to a recent incident in Florida involving an illegal immigrant from India who caused a fatal collision while operating a tractor-trailer. The bill would mandate that only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals with valid work visas are eligible for commercial driver's licenses. Additionally, it would require states to demonstrate compliance with English proficiency requirements in line with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump earlier this year. Failure to enforce these standards could result in states risking their federal funding. Senator Moody emphasized the importance of road safety and suggested that states that do not prioritize safety on roadways should be prepared to lose federal funding.