Two U.S. senators have introduced legislation that would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to take a formal role in supporting women drivers.
The Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act, introduced Nov. 14 by Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., directs the FMCSA administrator to create a Women of Trucking Advisory Board. The board would be tasked with identifying ways trucking companies, trucking associations and other groups can support women pursuing trucking careers, as well as finding opportunities to enhance training, education and outreach programs exclusive to women.
The legislation, previously reported by FreightWaves as the language was being finalized, would also make the agency responsible for identifying trends that directly or indirectly discourage women from pursuing careers in trucking. The FMCSA administrator would be required to submit a report on the advisory board’s findings and recommendations to both the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.
“As the trucking industry continues to face a driver shortage, we need to examine new ways to recruit and retain drivers that are delivering Kansas goods across the country,” Moran said. “Because women are substantially underrepresented in the trucking industry, Congress should explore every opportunity to encourage and support the pursuit of careers in trucking by women. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan and sensible bill with Sen. Baldwin that will lead to new job opportunities for women and increase equality for women already in the trucking industry.”
The Women in Trucking Association and American Trucking Associations (ATA) support the legislation.
“By creating an advisory board to utilize the expertise and resources of the [FMCSA] and the members of the board, we can increase the opportunities for women as drivers, technicians, owners, trainers and in other relevant career roles,” said Women in Trucking Association President and CEO Ellen Voie.
In a letter to the bill’s sponsors, ATA President and CEO Chris Spear wrote that the legislation “brings important attention and focus to the advancement of female representation and participation in trucking.”
The bill highlights data showing that while women make up 47% of the U.S. labor force, they represent only about 7% of drivers, and that female drivers have been shown to be 20% less likely than men to be involved in a crash.
The FMCSA in July announced plans to assess the prevalence of crimes against women and minority truckers in the United States, an effort the agency sees as potentially increasing the pool of qualified drivers.
Michael
First are not all bills created in the house of representatives? 2nd has either senator seen the number of women in the trucking industry? I also have been in this industry since the early 70’s and have seen more women behind the wheel then before and continue to grow. Not only OVTR but also local delivery. It’s a great job with high demand and man or woman are welcome. What congress needs to do is get out of the way and let this industry and other flourish.
Russ
Sure am glad women don’t have special rights 🤣 basically got more rights than men as it is, how about leaving the brain dead feds out of our industry. Don’t even know why I comment on these things feds are going to do whatever the hell they want anyway regardless of who it’s hurts, or what industry they totally ruin and please don’t email me either
Harold Allen Smith
I drive for CFI and this company along with 99% of other companies actually recruit women drivers. Its seems to me these elected officials are a day late and a dollar short. Funny how when an election is coming up politicians get all holy. Where in the hell are they between elections?
Julia Hetrick
I agree with both sides of this discussion. BUT that being said, men do not have to put up with the snide rude comments OR the sexual harrassment women do. I have been through a bit of all of it for 22 years!! Ladies, develope some thick skin n never show them it gets to you!! Just do your job n let your great performance show them!! By the same token, if you can’t do the physical requirements of a certain job, go else where. There are 1,000’s of no touch freight jobs out there!! I have also seen n witnessed PLENTY of men not want to do the physical part of a job!! So sirs, don’t just blame that on the womenfolk!!
Dexter
With all the equal pay for equal work talk going around I dont see any reason why you need special programs just for women. With all the talk about truck driver shortages there should be programs to keep current drivers and draw new drivers. Once again politicians are doing something unnecessary for American people. We need common sense solutions but Washington don’t seem to get that.
Ray
The women truckers I have met over my 40 years in trucking don’t need another piece of paper telling them they can! Too many excuses for men however, leave alot to ridicule.
Fleadog Mitchell
Seems to me if you only have a small percentage of female truckers then the stats on their crashes will therefore be small.ive seen plenty of women out here and they are usually speeding down the road like the majority of us are.if the want to do the job,then go do it.sounds like a couple of Congress folks need to justify the paycheck they get.i say,fix the stupid laws that need fixed,along with the boarder,and imagration.
Cheron Pendley
I am happy about this but, I will say as a woman I will not do anything that requires lifting 50 pounds over my head on a regular basis because it can damage my reproductive organs and eventually lead to a hysterectomy at an early age. Women are not designed for that. We do not have support of upper body strength like men do, we lift from our abdominals which over time can, like I said earlier, lead to damage eventually causing premature hysterectomy.
Al Bass
Having been in trucking for more than 55 years, I totally object to a different set of standards for female truckers. If the pay is to be the same for male and female, then the responsibilities are to be the same. When a trucker is hired on, regardless of gender he/she is expected to perform the job as the need arises, NOT JUST STEERING WHEEL HOLDERS. If your anatomy precludes you from doing the same job expected from male truckers then you need to find a different job.
Steven M allison
Agreed. 38 year wornout old trucker said that.
Sue
I am a female trucker. I only drove Otr for 3 years. I now have a day job. In my time my grand daughter spent 4 days in the hospital because she become diabetic. Could not get home. My youngest daughter was raped in college. Could not get to her within 5 days or it would have been abandonment of the load. I had no problem being on the road and missing the holidays or birthdays they are just days. But Fuck what dispatcher. Planner or human in general would think that was going to go over real well with any PARENT, mom or dad.
Erskine
Not all companies r like that i had a situation and had to get home asap i went to closes OC they got my a plane ticket and a rental car
John smith
What does that have to do with the article.
Diane B.
Ten4
Steven M allison
Just what we need. MORE FKN GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE IN THE TRUCKING BUSINESS. Woman , today, are welcomed to this business, and represented as well as men. More and more women are hired everyday.
LETS DO OUR BEST TO KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR LIVES. History proves we do much better on our own.
Southern Angel
Really have you ever heard of no touch freight? Why would you even get a truck driver job that involve anything but no touch freight. Shows what you don’t know if all you’re worried about is what you have to live instead of the responsibilities you’ll have with an 80,000 lb vehicle riding up and down the road. Sounds like you need to find another career
John smith
But you want the same pay! I’m all in favor of females in the work place and believe in equal pay for equal work so are you willing to take less pay than your male counterparts or will you complain if the pay isn’t the same?!