A federal study attempting to assess threats and assaults against female and minority truckers needs to be overhauled before it can be considered meaningful for the trucking industry, according to an adviser to regulators.
“Crime Prevention for Truckers Study,” a survey sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Office of Research and conducted by the Battelle Memorial Institute, was unveiled Wednesday at the first meeting of FMCSA’s Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB). The 16-member panel was mandated as part of the infrastructure law signed last year to encourage women to enter the trucking industry.
The study’s results and methodology, however, came under immediate fire from WOTAB member Anne Balay, an author and union organizer. Balay, who also worked as a commercial truck driver, was particularly concerned about the study’s finding that “touched inappropriately” was the most serious offense reported among survey respondents.
“I’m a social scientist and I’ve done extensive research on this subject, and I have to say that hearing that being touched inappropriately is the most severe reportage is incredibly inaccurate,” Balay said during the public meeting. “Rape is incredibly common, and calling rape as being ‘touched inappropriately’ is extremely offensive. I interviewed many [women] truckers who reported that rape is considered a part of the job. It’s very important that this group acknowledges that.”
Members of the panel were also concerned about the breadth of the survey and who was asked to respond to it. Of the 653 participants, approximately 70% were men — and of those, 63% were white. Studies have shown that out of approximately 3.5 million truck drivers in the country, 7% (245,000) are women.
“I was one of the 200 women who responded that I had received multiple harassment issues,” said WOTAB member Kellylynn McLaughlin, a former Schneider National truck driver. “I’m constantly surprised by the low numbers of respondents in surveys that are supposed to represent us. We know that when it comes to rape or harassment, it’s most often not reported because it’s difficult and often not well received. But I don’t know a single woman driver that has not encountered some sort of harassment.
“How do we get real numbers, more than 200 women to respond to a survey? I would like to see action items in how we get better numbers. There’s power in numbers.”
Tom Keane, FMCSA’s associate administrator in the agency’s Office of Research, said he was “happy” with the responses FMCSA received but also acknowledged the survey’s shortcomings and concerns from the board.
“To the point about rape, it may have to do with limitations within the scope of the survey,” said Keane, noting that certain respondents said they did not want to go into detail about their experiences. “I think that speaks to the seriousness of the crimes that are being committed. We consider this a first step from our vantage point. However, we welcome all input to improve it.
“It is my intent to follow up on this as we move forward collectively, so I would welcome input to improve subsequent surveys.”
Keane listed a series of “next steps” with regard to the survey, which included developing and distributing outreach materials to amplify it through social media and industry conference presentations.
Balay cautioned, however, that instead of publicizing the initial survey, “we as the Women in Trucking Advisory Board need to challenge how this survey was done and get a survey that has data that is meaningful and reflects what is happening in our industry.”
Jamaal
I’ve been driving throughout the Midwest and South for almost a year. Been to truck stops in questionable areas, but never seen the few women I have come across been harassed or even talked to. I just don’t get all the “epidemic” type talk about rape. Like is this rape happening in actual trucks? At truck stops? Most stops I come across are most full at night. I ride mostly in the darkness and I don’t see anything weird or alarming. When the lady in the article said they need to find more instances of rape, sounded like a reach for something that is not at all prevalent. I would like to get US stats on it. I would think truck accidents would be the biggest issue in trucking. Nothing wrong with female truck drivers, but seems like they want more just to have a reason to complain.
Randy F Clark.sr.
I’m a veteran and a veteran truck driver and I have around ten women truck driver’s that are friends of mine that a few take a 34 hr restart rt in my front yard and if ether one of them should me some one that sexually harassed them I would do something about it, I welcome any woman that wants to join the trucking industry, I’m the snowman Chennai 19 good luck to all you women out there
Christy
I used to train new female drivers coming into the industry. First day in the truck, was a discussion about how to stop this crap the second it starts. You cannot be timid, and you cannot hesitate. No means no and you stand on that and back it up with an equalizer if necessary. It’s just as important to teach women NOT to be victims as teaching them how to drive the truck. It does happen, and while you can’t stop someone from trying, you have control over how you respond to it.
pauline
as a female long haul truck driver,since 1993, it is usually that i should be barefoot and at home comments i get,but in 2012, i was trying to help an american driver on the way up to grande Prairie alberta get around an oversize load .we ended up meeting back up after getting loafed/ unloaded at the husky truckstop..and had supper together..and i got raped.i will tell my story to anyone that wants to listen.the consequences for myself,i had 6 years i could not get into a truck..i would would freeze and my anxiety went thru the roof even just thinking about it..i was so depressed i hardly could work.i wanted to die……today im back in a truck,happier than ever,but every once in awhile…it comes back..
Raredog
Started driving long haul in 1988. I have almost 4 million miles. Almost 35 years on the road, VERY much a female and seriously? I’m sorry this article makes it sound like an epidemic out there. What a crock. I run all 48 and Canada. This is not a prevalent issue.
James
This article reads more as “we need to find evidence of more sexual assault by truck drivers”. I spend most of my life on the road and while I am certain that bad things sometimes happen, I am also certain that it’s not at any higher percentage in this particular field.
Why does the FMCA continue to promote truck drivers as less than the outrageously hard working men and women they are?
Furthermore, your promotion of a “shortage ” is ignorant. There is no shortage, there is a desire by large corporations to flood the market with drivers to lower their shipping costs. The FMCSA in a effort to assist these companies lowered the standards required to be a professional driver to the point that safety has become a real concern. Then the agencies answer to this new problem (caused by themselves) is to create more laws and regulations, many of which will actually cost us drivers even more money.
If the FMCSA truly wants to help the industry why not hire a director whose only experience anywhere near a truck is not a one time publicity stunt ride?
Angie Krueger
I have driven truck for over 30 years and yes there are male driver out that think we are out here for there enjoyment and yes they will grab us where they do n I t need to if I had a penny for every time a dri er tried to grab my behind I would be rich
Tricia
Yes we are in an industry for men with that said stop trying to change the trucking industry
as a women we have to adapt I have been out here for 14yrs. Wear jeans shirt ( with no writing) boots look professional not some glamor show girl no flip flops or hooker shorts and have respect for others I have never ever had any problems at all as I said show respect dress professional
Don’t get me wrong there are men drivers that are a holes dont go down to their level know when to just walk away and say nothing that is being Professional
Be safe