The advocacy group American Truckers United (ATU) has issued a stark warning regarding safety on U.S. highways, citing the increasing number of migrant drivers operating vehicles with non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). According to ATU’s spokesperson, Shannon Everett, this trend poses a significant risk to public safety and national security, particularly after several fatal accidents involving these drivers.
Everett’s concerns come in the wake of multiple incidents this year, including a devastating crash in Austin, Texas, that resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to eleven others. He attributed these accidents to a surge in unqualified drivers, stating that lax licensing standards have allowed non-English-speaking migrants to operate heavy trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds. “Our highways are no longer safe,” Everett emphasized in a video shared on social media, urging drivers to maintain heightened situational awareness.
The ATU has raised alarms about the implications of recent immigration policies under the Biden-Harris administration, which they claim have facilitated the entry of 876,000 new truck drivers into the market. This figure effectively doubles the typical annual output of new drivers. Everett noted that the influx has coincided with an upward trend in truck-related fatalities since 2016, which he attributes to the rise of non-domiciled CDLs and insufficient regulatory enforcement.
In response to the growing crisis, the U.S. Department of Transportation, under President Donald Trump, has enforced the English Language Proficiency (ELP) rule aimed at addressing the issue of unvetted migrant drivers. This measure is part of a broader effort to ensure that those operating large commercial vehicles possess adequate language skills to ensure safety.
Shannon Everett highlighted the urgency of the situation, cautioning drivers to be vigilant. “If you’re caught in stalled traffic, don’t just sit there—stay alert and have an escape plan,” he advised, stressing the importance of being prepared to move out of harm’s way.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the practices of major retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, which have reportedly displayed navigational signs in multiple languages at their trucking hubs. This has led to further scrutiny over the qualifications of drivers employed by these companies.
The ATU has called for a thorough investigation into the licensing practices for migrant drivers, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement of existing regulations. “The pattern in these crashes is undeniable,” Everett stated, pointing to the disproportionate involvement of non-citizen truck drivers in serious accidents.
As discussions around truck driver qualifications continue, the ATU remains steadfast in its stance that without decisive action, safety on America’s highways will remain in jeopardy. With the ongoing debate over immigration policy and its impact on various industries, the need for a balanced approach to ensure both economic viability and public safety has never been more pressing.
