The U.S. Transportation Department said Tuesday it will begin withholding federal highway-safety funds from California, Washington and New Mexico unless the states enforce English-language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers within 30 days. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters the three states risk losing about $50 million a year under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program—roughly $33 million for California, $10.5 million for Washington and $7 million for New Mexico—if they fail to demonstrate compliance. Additional penalties could follow, he warned. The move follows a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration probe into an Aug. 12 crash on Florida’s Turnpike that killed three people. Investigators say the driver, Harjinder Singh, an Indian national who lacked legal immigration status, held commercial licences issued in California and Washington yet could not read or speak English, highlighting what Duffy called "significant enforcement gaps." President Donald Trump in April signed an executive order directing strict enforcement of longstanding federal rules that require commercial drivers to communicate in English. Duffy said the standard is essential so drivers can read road signs, follow safety instructions and interact with law-enforcement officers. The American Trucking Associations backed the announcement, while the three states have not yet commented.