In the eyes of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman tougher state restrictions concerning issuing CDL licenses may have prevented last summer's fatal tour bus accident near Pembroke.
The driver, Bin Shao of New York, had little command of the English language and his alleged limited ability to read the English language may have been a contributing factor in the Aug. 22 Thruway crash that left five dead and more than 45 others injured.
Shao was driving the tour bus from Niagara Falls back to New York City. He has since been charged with five counts of 2nd degree manslaughter.
"The real guilty party is (Gov.) Kathy Hochul," Blakeman said.
Blakeman, Nassau County county executive, said Hochul's liberal policy of allowing the state Department of Motor Vehicles almost free hand in issuing driver's licenses may have lead to Shao driving the tour bus.
"He can't speak English, yet he was entrusted to drive a bus with 50 people on it for a fun trip to Niagara Falls," Blakeman said. "The DMV never should have issued a CDL license to that man."
Blakeman used the Thruway in Pembroke for a March 27 press conference where he and State Sen. George Borrello blasted Hochul for allowing the DMV to issue driver's licenses and CDL licenses to immigrants and those who also have trouble speaking or understanding the English language.
"It is dangerous and deadly," Borrello said. "Gov. Hochul is choosing politics over public safety."
Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman seeking tougher CDL restrictions
