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The ‘License to Kill’ Documentary
The investigation found the DMV often kept commercial drivers on the road after fatal crashes, including 2024 records showing more than 130 cases reviewed.
- A CalMatters investigation found the California Department of Motor Vehicles frequently permits professional drivers with histories of dangerous behavior to maintain commercial licenses, even after fatal crashes.
- Despite having authority to suspend driving privileges after fatal incidents, the DMV often failed to intervene; the agency permitted Baljit Singh to operate big rigs after a 2021 fatal crash until he killed again in 2022.
- About 4,000 people died in large-truck crashes in California from 2015 through 2024; the DMV renewed Rodriguez's trucking license in March despite a vehicular manslaughter conviction and four tickets for unsafe commercial driving.
- Following CalMatters' inquiry, the agency took action against a dozen drivers, suspending licenses or stripping commercial privileges; investigators had alleged Singh was fatigued, driving beyond the 12-hour limit before his fatal crash.
- Western States Trucking Association advocate Joe Rajkovacz warned that "one thing goes wrong, you're gonna kill somebody" when operating massive vehicles; a fully loaded semi can total 80,000 pounds.
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8 Articles
8 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources8
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Left
100% Left
L 100%
Factuality
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