MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (KXXV) — Some Texas lawmakers are proposing a controversial measure to make the state's driving exams exclusively in English, eliminating the current Spanish option. Supporters argue the change ensures drivers can read road signs, while opponents call the move discriminatory and point out that many traffic signs are universal.
- Some Texas lawmakers are proposing that state driving exams be offered exclusively in English.
- Currently, the Texas Department of Public Safety offers the driver's license knowledge test in both English and Spanish
- State Rep. Pat Curry supports the English-only push, arguing drivers need to be able to read electronic messaging boards and road hazards.
- Hector Sabido with the Hispanic Leaders Network opposes the idea, stating that many road signs are universal and the language of the test does not determine driving ability.
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A controversial proposal from some Texas lawmakers aims to require all state driving exams to be taken exclusively in English.
A few days ago, State Rep. Brian Harrison made a post on Facebook calling the offering of driving exams in Spanish a "betrayal." Harrison is pushing for the exams to only be available in English.
Harrison told 25 news he was “outraged” to find out that, not only is it allowed for drivers tests to be administered in a foreign language, it’s also specifically required by state law.
"There is empirical data," he said, "and it’s intuitive, the danger to Texans of allowing non-English proficient drivers on our roads. It jeopardizes the safety of my family, my neighbors, my constituents."
Currently, the Texas Department of Public Safety offers the driver's license knowledge test in both English and Spanish. Translators cannot assist during the driving portion of the exam. If a driver cannot speak English, testers provide hand signals and non-verbal cues.
State Rep. Pat Curry stands behind the idea to make the knowledge portion of the test English-only, citing the need to read electronic messaging boards and road hazards.
"Because we now have messaging boards and electronic messaging boards and things that are up to identify problems ahead, you know, road hazards or things like that. People need to know what those signs say and you can't really test for that. You can test for English," Curry said.
Curry feels the issue also boils down to legal status in the U.S.
"If you don't know enough English to pass the driver's exam, then you probably don't know enough English to be a citizen or, or a visa holder," Curry said.
"We have people coming from all over the world and most importantly, they have to have a legal status. And in order to get that, they still, they have to have a basic understanding of the English language," Curry said.
"It is going to be, I think, just another form of racism," declared Hector Sabido with the Hispanic Leaders Network, "because being able to do a test in English does not determine how well of a driver you are."
He also noted that many road signs are universal.
"Stop signs are universal. Some might say in English, one said Spanish, but the color and the shapes are still the same," Sabido said.
"If you've ever driven on Texas roads, you’d know that’s farcical," Harrison replied. "There’s a limitless number of signs where you absolutely need to know English to understand them, signs that are temporary, signs that change, emergency alerts, diversions, detours. The list goes on and on.”
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