This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Wednesday November 19, 2025.

Just who exactly is driving that big rig barreling up behind you?

As reported in The Center Square, according to US Representative from North Carolina Pat Harrigan – it might be someone who cannot understand even basic English.

A driver failed his CDL exam 10 times, failed his English test, had expired paperwork, and still kept a commercial license because states treat basic safety rules like suggestions said Rep. Harrigan.  Families on the road have no control over that – but they have to live with the consequences.

The trucking industry itself seems to bear this out.  According to Overdrive Online, a survey of over 4600 truckers revealed that fully 10 – 25% 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 was failed both the English and road proficiency tests but STILL was able to get a commercial driver 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.

Congressmen David Rouzer, 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.  And no matter what your status, you need to know English.

For the Wilmington Standard, I’m Reuel Sample.  Thanks for listening.