The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has partnered with the National Safety Council (NSC) to highlight these critical issues in the Safety Is Personal series. NSC President and CEO Lorraine Martin and WIT President and CEO Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, discussed the importance of safety in the trucking industry and how it impacts drivers daily.

View the conversation between Hedrick and Martin.

Making Safety Personal

The Safety Is Personal series emphasizes real stories and lessons that shape how trucking leaders prioritize safety. For Hedrick, safety is not abstract. She focuses on ensuring that drivers, especially those in underserved segments, return home each day safely.

In her interview with Martin, Hedrick discussed major safety challenges that extend beyond vehicle operation. These include awareness of surroundings, the lack of safe and accessible truck parking, and how harassment and discrimination can influence safety outcomes for drivers.

Hands-On Training With a Purpose

As part of the collaboration, Hedrick coached Martin on driving a commercial truck using the WITney Educational Trailer simulator. The interactive experience demonstrates how training and awareness can prevent accidents and support drivers on the road.

Why These Discussions Matter

Truck driving is a demanding profession. Long hours, tight schedules, and extended time away from home create stress that affects both safety and performance. Research shows that female truck drivers experience harassment and discrimination more frequently than their male counterparts, which can directly impact safety and retention.

Hedrick and Martin stress situational awareness as a critical skill. Drivers must stay alert to hazards, vehicle behavior, and environmental conditions. Addressing challenges like commercial truck parking shortages ensures drivers make safer decisions while complying with hours-of-service rules.

Advancing Industry Safety

WIT and NSC’s collaboration promotes a culture of care that goes beyond compliance. Their combined efforts highlight respect, preparedness, and proactive risk management. The conversation encourages all stakeholders in the trucking industry to prioritize safety as a central value that protects drivers, supports their careers, and ensures the safe delivery of goods across the country.

Through initiatives like Safety Is Personal, WIT continues to advocate for inclusion, driver safety, and the professional advancement of women in trucking.

Source: Women In Trucking

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On January 15, FMCSA delivered the report, addressing ways to support and empower women in the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry. WOTAB’s 37 recommendations focused on key areas, including the following actions:

• Encouraging both government and private sectors to prioritize specific changes

• Enhancing accountability in addressing harassment, assault, and discrimination

• Boosting recruitment and retention initiatives for women drivers

• Creating mentorship opportunities for women in the industry

• Providing better training frameworks

• Improving women’s overall quality of life in CMV roles

• Developing a dedicated portal for women drivers to connect and access resources

FMCSA commended WOTAB’s efforts, acknowledging the report’s importance in addressing existing challenges faced by women in the trucking industry. The agency emphasized the need for inclusive opportunities for women in leadership roles across public and private sectors while recognizing ongoing gaps.

“FMCSA supports WOTAB’s goal of increasing economic opportunities for women by elevating governmental and industry awareness of the issues facing women CMV drivers,” the report stated. It also stressed prioritized collaboration to ensure diverse women have platforms to shape policies at higher levels.

Progress on Recommendations Already Underway

The board’s closing meeting in November 2023 included Robin Hutcheson, former FMCSA Administrator, who praised the group’s achievements. Hutcheson highlighted progress already being made, such as the establishment of a safety hotline for female drivers facing difficult situations on the road.

Additionally, FMCSA has taken steps to address sexual harassment and assault within the CMV workforce. This includes launching a Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment working group, dedicated to combating these issues, especially for drivers.

The agency has also ramped up enforcement efforts. A Notice of Enforcement Policy published in December reminded states of federal regulations to disqualify CDL holders convicted of felonies involving commercial vehicles, with particular attention to cases of sexual violence.

Looking Ahead to Continued Action

FMCSA revealed its plans for an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at strengthening driver training programs by incorporating awareness of sexual misconduct and enhancing safety for truck drivers and trainees. Efforts to improve truck parking safety, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and the National Coalition on Truck Parking, are also underway to address board recommendations.

With the submission of the final report, WOTAB has officially concluded its mission. Joyce Brenny, a life member of OOIDA and WOTAB chair, reflected on the board’s influence, stating, “Having a voice at the federal level will offer additional help to all in or considering the trucking industry for a career. It is obvious that knowledge is power, and the knowledge provided by WOTAB (as) industry experts will indeed make real changes, which will help in the future in the trucking industry.”

Although FMCSA clarified that it would not be directly responsible for executing all the recommendations, the agency affirmed its commitment to facilitating conversations between industry leaders and various government entities to drive meaningful change.

Advocating for Change in the Trucking Industry

For Brenny, who has dedicated 40 years to the trucking sector, the opportunity to address systemic challenges and advocate for women in the industry has been a proud accomplishment.

“I feel strongly about offering opportunities for women and ensuring that we are transparent in the challenges of the trucking industry,” she said. “I will always feel finding the right people is by far the most important, and we are then obligated to offer a safe and encouraging environment for career success.”

The groundwork laid by WOTAB is poised to have long-lasting effects on the industry, opening doors for more women and laying the foundation for safer, more inclusive career opportunities in trucking.

Source: Land Line

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