Virginia Bus Crash Raises Concerns Over English Proficiency of Drivers

A severe bus crash in Virginia, which claimed the lives of five individuals, has highlighted issues related to English proficiency among commercial drivers. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the situation as ‘unacceptable.’ The accident involved an E&P Travel bus traveling from New York to North Carolina that failed to decelerate at a work zone on Interstate 95 in Stafford County. The crash, which occurred around 2:35 a.m. on Friday, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, according to the Virginia State Police.

Among the deceased were a 13-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, a 45-year-old man, and a 44-year-old woman, all from Massachusetts. A 25-year-old woman in the car directly in front of the bus was also killed. More than 44 individuals were transported to hospitals, with three reported to be in critical condition.

The failure of the bus to stop caused a tragic multi-car accident. (Virginia State Police)

The identity of the bus driver, 48-year-old Jing S. Dong of Staten Island, New York, has been released. Dong, originally from China, is a naturalized citizen who obtained a commercial driver’s license in New York two years ago. He sustained injuries in the crash, and authorities state that charges are pending.

In response to the incident, Secretary Duffy emphasized the necessity of enforcing language proficiency among commercial drivers. He stated, “If you can’t be properly trained, read our road signs, or communicate with law enforcement, you have no business driving a bus.” He also noted that the Transportation Department is actively reviewing New York’s licensing records related to training and the driver’s history to identify any parties responsible for allowing an unqualified driver to operate a commercial vehicle.

Duffy also highlighted that federal regulations mandate that commercial drivers must possess adequate English proficiency to perform their roles safely. This includes understanding road signs and communicating with law enforcement as needed.

Federal law requires commercial drivers to speak English well enough to do their job safely.

Recently, in a push for better safety, Duffy announced that all truckers and bus drivers must pass their licensing examinations in English. This move aims to improve the overall safety on the roads by ensuring drivers can meet the necessary language requirements.