Women in truck driving industry advocate for more parking and restroom access

We share our roads and highways with trucks every day. They’re essential for delivering everything from groceries to clothing nationwide. And many drivers behind the wheel are women. But as Channel 9 Samantha Manning explains, they’re now warning Congress about the safety risks they face on the road. For many truck drivers, getting behind the wheel is a lifelong passion. So I wanted to be a professional truck driver since I was seven years old. Tina Klein has been living out that dream for more than two decades. It’s a career she loves. Rhonda Hartman can relate. She’s been in the business for more than 40 years. I learned right away that this is really what I wanted to do. Both women tell me while they love their work, there are safety risks. That’s why they came to Capitol Hill to push lawmakers for action as part of the American Trucking Association’s Women in Motion campaign. A big problem? The lack of truck parking spots. I was a woman. I like to park in a well lit area and know that it’s a safe place for me to be outside of my truck and go use the facilities. But that’s often not an option. That’s because for every 11 drivers, there’s only one available space, according to the trucking industry. It is very difficult to do our jobs. For us to be a professional and safe drivers, we need to have adequate safe areas for us to park. There’s now a proposal in Congress to invest millions of dollars for more truck parking. A second bill tackles another critical issue, the limited access to restrooms. Lawmakers behind the measure say nearly 80% of truck drivers look for parking based on restroom and shower access. Factors that are even more critical for women drivers. It’s crazy that we even have to talk about it or pass a law, but I don’t think anyone would want to do their job if they had no access to a lady’s room. Both bills to improve trucking safety have support from Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate. They’re now being debated in committees. No word yet, though. And when they could be taken up for a full vote in Washington. Samantha Manning, Channel 9, Eyewitness News.