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According to a recent study by the American Transportation Research Institute, industry image and perception, completion of training schools, truck parking shortages and restroom access, as well as gender harassment and discrimination, are among the main obstacles that prevent female truck drivers from entering the trucking business and staying in it.
ATRI’s research was made public on June 18 and included input from thousands truck drivers, motor carrier and truck driver training school through surveys, interviews, and a focus groups of female drivers. The goal was to identify the underlying challenges and strategies to overcome them.
The study also identified personal concerns about safety, unsatisfactory cultures of motor carriers and difficulties acclimating themselves to an over-the road lifestyle as barriers for recruiting and retaining women in careers behind commercial motor vehicles.
The study surveyed 1,458 drivers and 82 motor carriers, as well as 8 training schools.
ATRI research revealed that women are attracted to driving careers because of the income potential. This highlights the fact that the trucking industry pays women and men equally, which is more common than in other fields.
Some women complained that despite the higher pay, driving kept them away from their families for too long. They also said that it was difficult to provide child care and offered limited opportunities for advancement. Respondents cited the freedom and independence that driving affords as well as job security, and the fact a college education is not necessary.
“ATRI’s Research gives voice to thousands of women who have found satisfying careers in this Industry and encourages other women to consider driving jobs,” said Emily Plummer. She is a professional driver at Prime Inc. and a member of America’s Road Team. She also participated in the study’s focus group.
ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee identified the project in March 2023, as a top priority. This will help to better understand the challenges that female drivers face.
The study offers specific strategies for motor carriers, drivers of trucks and driver training schools to help increase the relatively low number of women who work in trucking.
The ATRI study stated that “the involvement of women in trucking is crucial for improving safety and addressing the workforce shortages.” The 2022 update to Predicting truck crash involvement [reported] that female truck drivers were safer in every statistically significant area, as documented by less crashes, convictions, and violations.
The study found that historically, truck driving jobs were dominated by men. “However women have been in truck driving roles since the early 1920s. Over the past century, women in the trucking industry have also risen to various positions, from human resources to truck driving, dispatch, safety, and technician positions, to the C-suite.
ATRI stated that “despite the increase in visibility of women in trucking ads and the slow rise in the percentage of female drivers over the past few years, significant challenges continue to deter women from pursuing a career in the trucking industry.” These challenges are present in the hiring, training and operational processes.
ATRI encouraged women truck drivers to meet these challenges by staying professional and maintaining a positive attitude, sharing positive stories and postings, training on improper social media use, connecting with high school students and promoting trucking as an alternative to college.
Brenny Transportation President and CEO Joyce Brenny said, “This report is an important road map to increase the number women drivers.” “We have seen tremendous success with our women drivers, and we believe that others who use this research will also see success.”
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