When considering the transportation industry, there is a misconception that to become a truck driver, you must be a macho man. Even today, the conventional knowledge is that women are not suited for driving.
However, according to the trucking industry news, it is now necessary to think about adding more female drivers to fleets. Now is the ideal moment to promote more women to work in the trucking sector, given the high unemployment rates, equal opportunity movements, and increased need for freight and logistics
In America’s over-the-road truck drivers, the proportion of women has increased from 4.9% to 7% since 2008. Truck driver jobs are more appealing to women, thanks to industry changes. Women will likely take over as the majority of truck drivers in the future as the industry faces record-breaking driver shortages.
The Number of Women Truck Drivers Is Growing
Even though there has been a growth in female truck drivers over the past ten years, they still represent fewer than 10% of over-the-road truck drivers. Female truck drivers have always been there, for example, doing local truck driving jobs, but their growing number in the trucking industry is forcing some much-needed reforms.
Although men have traditionally held the majority of positions in the trucking sector, women have been breaking new ground since the 1920s. In 1929, Lillie Elizabeth McGee Drennan became the first woman truck driver in history, obtaining the first-ever license. She even had her own trucking company, the Drennan Truck Line.
While men were engaged in World War II, American women were urged to enter labor in greater numbers than ever before. Obtaining truck driving licenses was one of the responsibilities that women took. Despite this, it wasn’t until the 2000s that women made substantial advancements in the US trucking industry.
Now that the importance of women is being recognized in the future of the trucking industry, even the US Congress wants to encourage more women to drive trucks. A “Women of Trucking Advisory” board will be established as part of the current bipartisan infrastructure plan being debated in Congress. Through various initiatives, the board hopes to increase the number of women who choose to drive trucks.
Besides the Congressional program, there is also a Department of Transportation’s Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative, which looks at methods to address the truck driver shortage by bringing more women into the business.
Why do Women Find Truck Driving Appealing?
The rise in female drivers over the past ten years results from technological advancements and carrier and nonprofit recruiting initiatives. Women are drawn to a truck driving job for various reasons. Let’s discuss some of them.
The fact that long-distance solo driving is now safer than it formerly was is one development that has made truck driving more enticing to women. New applications, for instance, allow drivers to immediately find the closest authorized repair shop via their smart device in case of a breakdown. Additionally, truck stops have become safer locations for female drivers.
Trucking industry jobs not only have become safer than before but also give women the chance to make a solid living regardless of gender. The trucking company determines the average truck driver salary depending on the load’s proportion, hours, or distance traveled. There isn’t much opportunity for a gender wage disparity in this situation.
Companies and nonprofit organizations have also aimed to educate women about the benefits of being a truck driver. A nonprofit group called Women in Trucking was established in 2007. Its purpose is to help women be educated on the matter, help them be acquainted with the truck driver lifestyle, and become successful in their careers.
Why Are Female Truck Drivers Good Professionals?
The trucking business is seeing unexpected advantages as more women pursue professions in this field. According to several trucking companies, women truck drivers can be even more adept with tools and paperwork. Women truck drivers not only increase road safety but also offer a means to address the driver shortage.
Women are being sought after by several trucking companies as a potential solution to the truck driver shortfall, which is anticipated to reach 100,000 by 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t cause the driver shortage, but the previous 18 months have brought about new difficulties as companies scrambled to satisfy record-breaking eCommerce orders.
Women tend to work longer, which may assist with the driver shortage. Women drivers retain their licenses at a considerably greater rate than men do.
Women drive more safely than men, according to statistics. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that men are 70% more likely than women to be found guilty of exceeding the posted speed limit by up to 15 miles per hour. Additionally, men are 88% more likely to have been found guilty of reckless or careless driving. Trucking businesses should consider how female truck driver safety records may help reduce future insurance and lawsuit expenses.
Even though they may be underrepresented among truck drivers, women are undoubtedly part of the future of truck driving. Women who drive trucks have an exceptional opportunity to build a stable career. Women truck drivers will contribute to the industry’s growth with their high job retention rates and safe driving records.
Which Company Is The Most Appropriate For Women To Start Their Careers With?
As a woman, if you want to start your career as a truck driver, it would be essential for you to find a company that values its employees, treats them with respect, and gives them many opportunities for career growth and a competitive wage. AJR Trucking possesses all of these aspects.
With over 30 years of experience, AJR has mastered providing special care for its employees and operating safe and quick freight transportation, meeting the delivery deadlines of its clients, and following a sustainable business model.
AJR Trucking encourages those women who want to become local truck driver to do so, as they are fundamental for the industry’s development.
