Driver responsible for Connor's death couldn't understand road signs, advocating for English language proficiency among truckers.
In a series of tragic incidents, the importance of English proficiency among commercial drivers has come under the spotlight. Last month, an undocumented driver who failed his English assessment was involved in a crash that claimed the lives of three people in Florida. This horrific event was not an isolated incident.
In Wyoming, on December 21, 2022, Tyeler Harris was killed, and Tiffany Gruetzmacher was severely injured when Saviol Saint Jean, a non-English speaking driver, drove through an accident site and crashed into them. Saint Jean held a CDL but was not proficient in English.
These incidents highlight the need for stricter enforcement of commonsense road safety measures. In 2017, an 18-year-old, Connor Dzion, was killed by a distracted truck driver who could not read English and ignored critical warning signs.
In response to these tragedies, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is insisting that states enforce language requirements for transportation licenses. He, along with Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, have introduced Connor's Law to codify the English language proficiency requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Existing federal regulations stipulate that CDL drivers must read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records. However, in 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stripped English-proficiency violations from its out-of-service criteria, effectively gutting enforcement of that commonsense rule.
The proposed Connor's Law would ensure that CDL holders who cannot read or speak English are placed out of service. This is crucial, as if commercial drivers cannot read English, they will miss critical VMS instructions entirely, compromising safety and increasing the likelihood of catastrophic reactions to changing road conditions.
Variable-message signs (VMS) are prevalent on highways and are used to warn drivers of changing weather conditions, dangerous hazards, and road closures. However, non-English speaking drivers may not understand these signs.
Harriet Hageman, the lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming, has yet to comment on the proposed legislation. The passage of Connor's Law would not only improve the safety on highways but also ensure that the life of Tyeler Harris and the injury of Tiffany Gruetzmacher did not occur in vain.
Under President Donald Trump, the FMCSA issued new guidance to inspectors to assess a driver's English language proficiency during roadside inspections. However, more needs to be done to ensure the safety of all road users. The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an immediate pause on all worker-visa issuance for commercial truck drivers on August 21, 2025, citing public safety concerns and the threat to American livelihoods.
As we move forward, it is crucial that we prioritise the safety of our roads and the lives of our citizens. The tragic incidents mentioned above serve as a reminder of the importance of English proficiency among commercial drivers and the need for stricter enforcement of commonsense road safety measures.
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