US Reps introduce bill aimed at supporting women in trucking

A representative from Kansas has introduced a bill aimed at incorporating more female drivers into the trucking industry. 

The bill was introduced by US Representative Sharice Davids of Kansas and would require the establishment of a board focused solely on creating opportunities for women in trucking. The bill would then “provide education, training, mentorship, or outreach to women in the trucking industry; and recruit, retain, or advance women in the trucking industry.”

“Coming out of the pandemic, we’re seeing global supply chain breakdowns that are leading to rising costs and harmful shortages worldwide, from gas to groceries. The causes are complex, but one thing is clear: we’ve been dependent on materials made in other countries for far too long, and we haven’t been giving our transportation workforce and infrastructure the attention they need,” Representative Davids said in a statement. “That’s why I introduced a bill to encourage women to join the trucking industry.”

According to the ATA, women make up only 7% of truck drivers currently in the industry. 

“There’s that vacancy in the middle between the retiring drivers and the drivers coming in and we’re all paying the price right now,” Traci Christian, a truck driving instructor, said. 

“I’ve had at least one female driver. The next class, out of six, two or three of them are going to be female drivers.”

“Having a backup plan is always great. I mean, not just transportation as far as big trucks, but my school district needs bus drivers everyday,” said Lacey Snorgrass, a recent graduate of trucking school. 

“It’s an actual profession and it takes professional drivers to do it,” Christian added.