Closing the Driver Gap: More Women in Trucking!

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Trucking can be deadly and dangerous! Some may believe that trucking isn’t typically a woman’s job. Although, there are plenty of women today that disprove that ideology. Women like Ingrid Brown are used to this male-domineered industry. Brown, along with other women truckers, have confronted the sexism that comes with being a minority in the trucking industry.

Ingrid Brown usually feels out of place at many freight loading zones. Ingrid Brown is 5’2” and 57-years-old. She often stands out at terminals. As a trucker, Brown finds herself relieved when she’s finished loading up her big-rig. She claims that she thoroughly enjoys trucking on the road but can’t help but feel uncomfortable at rest-stops, loading zones and weigh stations.

White men are the predominant demographic in trucking. But why? Ingrid Brown shared what her day-to-day experience was like as a driver. Brown claims that she must watch for sexual predators at rest stops, deal with confrontations among inappropriate coworkers and provide care for children and elderly parents while they’re far away from home. This might attribute to the alarmingly high turn-out rate for drivers. With this, she still greatly enjoys trucking despite the adversity.

What does this mean for the trucking industry?

Interestingly, the American Truckers Associations estimated a driver shortage of about 60,000 drivers. Many companies have begun targeting different demographics to narrow the gap. Trucking companies have been recruiting women, attempting to lower interstate transport age, etc. Although, a life on wheels isn’t all that appealing to some. People have become reliant on their merchandise being shipped directly to their doors, but the shortage has been driving up prices. Therefore, the only solution is to hire more drivers.

Sadly, female drivers solely make up 6.2 percent of the trucking industry.  While this is an increase from 2008 at 4.9 percent, it doesn’t come close to the national average. Throughout the United States, females make up about half of the workforce. So, the trucking industry is striving to make the demographic more equal. In the end, it’s up to the citizens to provide more drivers.

So, are you worried about the driver shortage? How do you feel about a more diversified trucking industry?

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