A recent tragic accident in Tennessee has triggered significant scrutiny of New York’s commercial driver licensing practices. The incident involved a Chinese national, Huang Yisong, who drove a motorcoach that collided with multiple vehicles, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the severity of the situation, stating: “This driver had a non-domiciled CDL from NY and couldn’t speak English!” This is a glaring example of the potential dangers posed by lax licensing protocols.
Duffy’s comments, made via social media, called attention to a larger issue concerning driver safety and immigration policy. He criticized New York Governor Kathy Hochul for allegedly endangering public safety by granting commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to individuals who may not have a legal right to them. “More than HALF of New York’s non-domiciled CDLs were issued ILLEGALLY,” Duffy remarked, highlighting the state’s failure to verify the legal status of its drivers.
The Tennessee accident, which occurred on Interstate 40, involved several vehicles and resulted in the death of Kerry Smith, a truck driver. The circumstances of the crash captivated the attention of federal officials. Duffy indicated that this may have been the tipping point for the federal government. He accused New York’s DMV of issuing licenses without proper verification, stating, “They’re just giving eight-year commercial driver’s licenses to people…and again they’re endangering the lives of American families.”
In light of these findings, the Department of Transportation has announced plans to take decisive action. Duffy warned that if New York fails to rectify its broken CDL system, it risks losing $73 million in federal highway aid. He pointed out that the state’s practice of issuing lengthy licenses to individuals with temporary work authorizations contradicts federal law. Not only are the licenses being issued improperly, but they also pose a significant risk to the safety of all drivers on the road.
This scrutiny isn’t unique to New York, as California also faces similar challenges. Duffy noted that around half of the nation’s CDLs are issued in California and New York, with California experiencing a 25 percent failure rate in issuing valid licenses. The situation in New York is alarming, with a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration audit revealing that over half of tested records were issued in violation of federal law. Specifically, of the 200 samples taken, 107 were deemed illegal, underscoring serious failings in the DMV’s licensing process.
As a result of these findings, New York has been ordered to take corrective measures, including revoking unlawfully issued CDLs and halting the issuance of new licenses until compliance with federal regulations is ensured. The gravity of the situation raises questions about the state’s commitment to upholding driver safety standards and preventing such tragedies from recurring.
This accident has shed light on the vulnerabilities in state and federal systems regarding commercial driving qualifications. The ramifications may lead to broader discussions about immigration enforcement and public safety, making the stakes even higher for all involved. The Department of Transportation’s impending actions against New York could serve as a wake-up call for other states to reevaluate their own licensing policies and procedures, ensuring that safety remains the top priority on American roadways.
"*" indicates required fields
