The American Transportation Research Institute has released a driver’s survey on the challenges women truck drivers face in the industry.
Current and former drivers — regardless of gender — are invited to rank how frequently they have encountered a lack of adequate break time, concern over personal safety, excessive detention time, harassment or discrimination, among other issues.
The survey will remain open until Feb. 2, according to the trucking industry nonprofit.
Women make up about 8.1% of all U.S. truck drivers and only 2.7% of over-the-road drivers, according to ATRI. The nonprofit launched a similar survey in the fall to gather feedback from motor carriers.
The surveys aim to identify obstacles women face in becoming truck drivers, as well as strategies for overcoming them.
To boost recruitment efforts, the survey asks respondents to rank their top three influences in becoming a truck driver, such as driving schools, friends, family, high school courses, military experience, news and social media.
“Once again ATRI is providing truck drivers the opportunity to provide input on critical research that will ultimately make our workplace better,” said America’s Road Team Captain Rhonda Hartman, a driver for Old Dominion Freight Line, in a statement.
“I strongly encourage my fellow drivers to take a few minutes to complete ATRI’s survey and make our collective voice heard,” Hartman added.
By failing to recruit more women, the trucking industry is “leaving talent on the table,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at the 2022 American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.
