On Nov. 9, the board held its first meeting. The members of the board, 16 in total, have long histories in the truck driving industry and met to discuss crime prevention. This meeting and its topic were direct results of a recent safety report presented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as reported by Commercial Carrier Journal.

The WOTAB is comprised of female truck driving industry leaders who, all together, have over 80 years of invaluable driving experience and 275 years of experience in other modes of transportation. The board works to increase the number of females in the industry from where it is now at 7%, and to ensure their safety and security.

The Nov. 9 meeting addressed how to increase safety measures in the industry and featured U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

“Truck drivers are the lifeblood of American supply chains, yet at a time when America needs truck drivers more than ever and can’t afford to leave any talent on the table, women are still vastly underrepresented in the industry,” Buttigieg said. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in the workplace, and we’re grateful to this first Women of Trucking Advisory Board for helping address safety and other industry challenges to ensure these good, vital careers are accessible to all.”

The safety report the inaugural WOTAB meeting was set to discuss was titled Crime Prevention for Truckers and was organized by the FMCSA. The report was intended to focus on minorities in the truck driving industry, including women, and the subsequent harassment, threats, and physical assaults they face.

The study uncovered that females in the industry are exposed to more instances of sexual harassment than males in the industry are. It also revealed that in many circumstances instances of sexual harassment and assault are not reported for fear that nothing will be done.

The WOTAB plans to use the data collected from this report to frame discussions on increased safety measures.

“The survey information will contribute to better understanding obstacles to joining the industry, and to implementing best practices moving forward,” said Robin Hutcheson, FMCSA administrator. “Addressing the results and recommendations of the study will be the first of many opportunities for WOTAB to make an impact.”

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A virtual meeting will be held on Nov. 9 to discuss the board’s recent creation and to review the results of a study conducted on rates of crime in trucking. The study, titled Crime Prevention for Truckers, was sponsored by the FMCSA’s Office of Research and investigated women’s safety while on the road.

The study collected data on the frequency of violent crimes against both minority and female truckers. It included a survey of how many minority /female drivers have been threatened or assaulted; the nature of the crimes; the details of when and where they occurred; and information of the perpetrator and the victim. Collecting and reviewing this data works toward creating a safer environment for female truck drivers.

Conducting conversations about female truck drivers’ safety is an integral part of recruiting more women to the historically male-dominated career field. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented on the need for such a board shortly following its 2021 establishment.

“America needs truck drivers like never before, yet women – half the American people – have long been underestimated and underrepresented behind the wheel and in jobs across this sector,” he said. “Getting to know women in trucking, I have heard about their passion for the job as well as the challenges they face, and this experienced Women of Trucking Advisory Board will help us address these issues directly.”

The Women in Truck advisory board was created in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which falls under the purview of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This law mandated that FMCSA create such a board.

The Nov. 9 meeting will further the purpose of the Women in Trucking advisory board which aims to confront the issues that discourage women from entering the trucking industry.

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