Repeated fatal truck accidents in US put spotlight on Indian drivers

Indian diaspora faces scrutiny over road safety

A fatal crash in California that killed three persons, involving an Indian truck driver under influence of drugs, once again brought into focus the illegal driving habits of Indian truck drivers, leading to calls for curbs on hiring Indian drivers. Unfortunately, the road accidents involving Indians are not limited to the United States and as the number of Indian diaspora grows, so too have reports of serious road accidents, often linked to reckless driving habits.

On October 21, Jashanpreet Singh, an allegedly illegal Indian migrant, was arrested after a fatal crash in California when his truck slammed into slow-moving traffic, killing three people. Police reported that Singh was driving under the influence of drugs. 

Singh’s arrest comes barely weeks after Harjinder Singh, another Indian driver, killed three people while driving on the wrong side of a busy highway. That has led to an outrage in the US with even Senators calling for banning immigrant drivers and tightening the process of issuing driving licences to foreigners.

The outrage against poor driving habits displayed by some Indian-origin people overseas is not limited to the US. Indian nationals in many countries have drawn attention to their reckless or unlawful driving behaviour as an increasing number of Indians living and working overseas has, unfortunately, been accompanied by a rise in reports of serious accidents where Indians have been the offenders.

Experts say many of these incidents stem from unfamiliarity with local traffic laws, careless or aggressive driving habits carried over from home countries, and failure to adapt to the stricter road safety regulations enforced abroad. 

The consequences can be severe, ranging from heavy fines, imprisonment, and suspension of driving privileges to visa cancellations and even deportation.

According to the Arab Times, Kuwait recorded nearly 66,000 traffic accidents in 2024, resulting in 284 deaths and the deportation of 74 expatriates for serious traffic violations.

One of the most serious cases occurred in Muscat, Oman, in February 2025, when Indian national Mohammed Faras was found guilty of causing a fatal crash after driving recklessly at high speed in the wrong direction on a divided highway. His reckless actions led to the deaths of four people and injuries to 15 others. A court in Muscat sentenced Faras to two years in prison, imposed a three-month driving ban following his release, and ordered his deportation. The case, widely reported by media sparked discussions on the need for stricter oversight of foreign drivers.

In Canada, another incident in Toronto in September involved an Indian immigrant who was stopped by police for stunt driving, a serious offence under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. Instead of cooperating, he recorded the police officer, accused him of racism, and mocked his salary on video. 

The clip quickly went viral on social media, leading to his arrest and a public debate about immigrant behaviour on Canadian roads and respect for law enforcement.

In the United States, alongside the case of Jashanpreet Singh, another similar tragedy occurred in August 2025 in Fort Pierce, Florida. Indian truck driver Harjinder Singh was accused of causing a deadly crash that killed three people. Reports suggested he had failed English and road- sign tests before obtaining his commercial driving licence and was also living illegally in the US.

While these cases highlight offenders, the Indian diaspora has also been among the victims of fatal road accidents abroad. In several countries, Indian nationals continue to face high risks as pedestrians, passengers, and drivers. 

Earlier this month, four Indian nationals were killed in an accident in Matera city, southern Italy when their car collided with a truck. 

In the United Kingdom, two Indian students from Hyderabad were killed and five others injured in a car crash in Essex in September. The accident occurred as a group of nine Indian students returned from Ganesh idol immersion celebrations. Both drivers, aged 23 and 24, were arrested on suspicion of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

The growing number of such incidents, both as offenders and as victims underscores the urgent need for stronger road safety education among Indians travelling or migrating abroad. Awareness programmes, pre-departure orientations and community initiatives could help Indian drivers better understand and respect traffic laws in their host countries.

Meanwhile, the two high-profile accidents caused by Indian truckers in the US are likely to vastly narrow the road for other Indians to be hired as truck drivers there, despite a severe shortage of drivers in the US.