A safer road does not start or end with Werner. It is an industry-wide effort.
Many transportation and logistics companies, including Werner, belong to trade organizations such as the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) to participate in industry-wide conversations surrounding safety and innovation. Some of our associates participate in safety-specific committees, such as the ATA’s Safety Policy Committee, and attend industry safety events like the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Conference.
Participating in these industry groups and events allows us to exchange ideas and concerns with our peers regarding safety. They also allow us to hear from safety experts beyond our immediate colleagues and peers and connect with the technology vendors as we explore new solutions.
Membership in these organizations also includes conversations about road safety of another kind, anti-human trafficking. The ATA, among other industry organizations, helps drive the industry-wide effort to stop human trafficking, working with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) and members to provide associates and drivers with training and resources to help be advocates on the road.
Researchers estimate that traffickers exploit nearly 28 million people worldwide. This threat encompasses victims of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds, excluding no one. With truck stops located off highways, this unfortunately provides traffickers with convenient places to conduct business. Also located away from central areas, it makes them more secluded and harder to monitor for suspicious and dangerous activity.
Professional truck drivers can and must be proactive in the fight against trafficking. Educated drivers who are equipped to recognize and report these problems will help victims receive the assistance they require.
Currently, there are more than 1 million professional drivers who are registered as TAT trained, including all ATA America’s Road Team Captains, which currently includes three Werner drivers, Jesus D., Gina J. and Eric S. As Road Team Captains they have been trained as ambassadors on the subject, speaking to their peers, law enforcement and general motorists about the industry’s commitment to ending trafficking and receive training to help support the initiative.
Ultimately, the responsibility for creating a safer road lies with every one of us. Regardless of our roles as professional drivers or general motorists, we all should work together towards the common goal of ensuring safe roads.
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This is part three and the final article in our “Driving Change” series about the many steps we take to support and encourage a safer road for all drivers. If you missed the first article in this series, click here. For the second article, click here.
