New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler is pushing back against federal claims that the state has failed to comply with new English Language Proficiency (ELP) testing requirements for commercial drivers.
The response comes after a July 3 traffic stop involving truck driver Harjinder Singh, who was cited for speeding in New Mexico and later involved in a fatal crash in Florida that killed three people. Federal officials have since raised questions about New Mexico’s enforcement of ELP standards.
Chief Weisler says the criticism misrepresents the state’s efforts. He explained that when new federal guidelines took effect on June 25, no standardized testing procedures were provided. Inquiries to federal agencies were met with vague responses, including one stating, “You know when somebody doesn’t speak English.”
In the absence of clear direction, New Mexico developed its own process, including statewide training for officers. Weisler emphasized that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was kept informed, with updates sent on July 24 and August 12—before the Florida crash occurred.
Weisler also clarified that ELP assessments are only required when communication issues arise during a traffic stop. In Singh’s case, video footage showed no such issues, meaning no assessment would have been triggered under federal or state policy.
The chief also addressed concerns about tracking driver violations, noting that officers do not receive automatic alerts about a driver’s history. Accessing that information requires manually reviewing inspection records from a national database, which is not feasible during routine stops.
Weisler responded directly to comments made by U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy, saying the “flashing red light” mentioned in the press conference refers to a company’s overall safety score—not an individual driver’s record.
“The tragic loss of life in Florida is a painful reminder of why these regulations matter,” Weisler said. “We remain committed to applying them with consistency and seriousness.”
New Mexico plans to begin enforcement of its ELP requirements on September 1, 2025, and will continue working with federal partners to ensure clarity and accountability.
