Women in trucking: essential truck stop services for ensuring safety

Services that women in the industry look for at truck stops to feel safe and secure

The trucking industry continues to advance in creating a safe environment for women working in the sector by addressing their primary concerns to ensure their well-being. In this context, Women In Motion, in collaboration with Trucker Path, conducted a survey to identify the services women in the industry seek at truck stops to feel secure.

According to the survey results, data shared by Trucker Path reveal that, in terms of safety at truck stops, women in the industry prioritize having a well-lit space. The survey identified seven key services that truck stops should provide to ensure greater safety for female truck drivers. These services include:

Well-lit parking
Well-lit bathroom access
Well-lit resting area
Well-lit showers with 24/7 access
Well-lit laundry with 24/7 access
On-site security 24/7
24/7 maintenance

Trucker Path has investigated how truck stops are addressing these specific needs by analyzing how many offer the services required by women in the sector. The company identified that 320 truck stops in its network provide at least one of the mentioned services. The remainder breaks down as follows:

Lighted parking lot – 95.96%.
Illuminated restroom access – 51.7%
Lighted rest area – 41.1%
Illuminated showers – 23.8%
Lighted laundry room – 18.8%
On-site security – 21.0%
Maintenance available 24/7 – 17.2%

Challenges for women in the trucking industry

With just 14 stops providing all the necessary amenities to ensure women’s safety, Trucker Path’s analysis reveals that there is still a long way to go. Companies have much work to do to create a safe environment for women in the trucking industry. Organizations like Women In Trucking continue to strive for improved safety, while companies must keep working to hire and retain women in the sector despite ongoing inequalities.

In June, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released its study titled “Identifying and Mitigating the Challenges Facing Female Truck Drivers.” ATRI’s research highlighted six major areas where women in trucking face difficulties and suggested strategies for the industry to address these issues. The identified challenges include:

Negative image and perception of the industry
Inability to complete truck driver training
Unsatisfactory company culture
Difficulty acclimating to the truck driver lifestyle
Limited access to parking and restrooms
Excessive gender harassment and discrimination

Continued efforts to address women’s safety issues in the industry

ATRI notes that, although the number of women in the trucking industry has increased over the past decades, significant challenges remain that cause hesitation among those seeking to enter or continue in the sector. Additionally, the research revealed that over a third of stops made by women involve short waits, compared to 27% for men, and that 15% of women’s stops involve a detention time of two hours or more, compared to 10% for men.

The findings from both Trucker Path and the American Transportation Research Institute underscore the need for continued efforts to address safety concerns and improve conditions at truck stops. As the industry works to overcome these obstacles, collaboration between organizations, companies, and stakeholders will be essential in driving meaningful change and achieving true equality in the sector.