Little Rock, Ark. – In a coordinated 48‑hour sweep on Arkansas’s major freight corridors, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and partner agencies removed more than 300 unsafe truck drivers from the road, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday.
Federal teams target unsafe drivers and illegal activity
FMCSA inspectors worked side‑by‑side with Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Arkansas Highway Police. The operation focused on drivers who lack the qualifications to operate large commercial vehicles, hazardous trucks and any fraudulent practices that threaten public safety.
“Gone are the days of dangerous—and many times illegal and foreign—drivers putting American lives at risk on our roads,” Secretary Duffy declared. “Under the Trump administration, we are restoring law and order. This latest wave of Operation Highway Shield has pulled over 300 dangerous drivers off the road, including 183 foreign drivers who couldn’t read road signs. We are not slowing down when it comes to keeping Americans safe on our roads.”
Results of the third wave
- 393 drivers and vehicles placed out of service
- 183 English Language Proficiency violations
- 74 immigration violations referred for federal enforcement
- 44 criminal arrests
- 1 stolen trailer recovered
FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs emphasized the human impact: “Every person on the road deserves to get home safely. When criminal activity and unsafe vehicles creep onto our highways, it puts everyone at risk. Operation Highway Shield is about teaming up with our partners to protect everyday drivers, clear out the bad actors, and make our roads safer for everyone.”
How this fits into the broader effort
The first wave of Operation Highway Shield, conducted earlier this year, removed 176 drivers from service, 54 of whom were cited for language deficiencies. That effort also led to 35 criminal arrests and 42 immigration‑law violations.
The second wave spanned Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio, resulting in 51 illegal‑immigrant detentions, 766 unsafe drivers and vehicles placed out of service, 36 English Language Proficiency violations and the recovery of $1 million in stolen cargo.
These multi‑state operations illustrate a continuing federal commitment to enforce safety standards, curb illegal immigration in the trucking industry and dismantle criminal networks that exploit America’s freight system.
Local impact and next steps
Arkansas officials praised the operation’s focus on protecting the state’s motorists and commerce. State Highway Police Chief James Whitaker said the collaboration with federal partners demonstrates a shared dedication to keeping Arkansas’s highways safe for families, businesses and travelers alike.
Authorities will continue to monitor compliance with safety regulations and language‑proficiency requirements, and they plan additional sweeps later this year to ensure that only qualified, law‑abiding drivers operate on the state’s roads.
Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.
