Truckers Against Trafficking: Empowering a Nationwide Force of Vigilant Drivers

Human trafficking is a grave crime that exploits individuals through force, fraud or coercion – making it essential for everyone to remain vigilant. The UN estimates that traffickers are forcing 27.6 million people into labor or sex trafficking worldwide, and less than half of 1% of human trafficking victims are identified.

The transportation industry plays a pivotal role in the fight against trafficking, as its professionals have a unique vantage point to identify potential cases. Organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking, a non-profit organization, work tirelessly to raise awareness among transportation professionals, empowering them to stay aware and report suspicious activities.

In support of this important cause, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently unveiled a series of measures to raise awareness and strengthen the nation’s prevention efforts. In an announcement made on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the vital role transportation workers and the public play in identifying and reporting human trafficking cases.

The cornerstone of this initiative is the establishment of the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking, made up of experts from law enforcement, maritime, port, rail and trucking sectors, along with representatives from anti-trafficking advocacy organizations to develop a report that includes recommendations on countering human trafficking.

In light of these efforts, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) “Your Roads, Their Freedom” campaign was established to educate the commercial motor vehicle industry on recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking incidents. FMCSA is asking for support from organizations across the nation to build on this important work and contribute to the cause. The campaign provides various materials, such as visor cards, posters and social media content, to spread awareness across fleets and encourage collective efforts in fighting against this crime.

Beyond road transportation, a joint training program with the U.S. Homeland Security Department will further sensitize Amtrak ticket office workers to identify and report potential human trafficking cases. The DOT is also empowering aviation industry personnel by implementing training programs that equip workers with the knowledge to identify potential traffickers using in-flight and on-the-ground reporting methods. Over 350,000 employees have already undergone training through this “Blue Lightning Initiative,” a commendable effort to increase vigilance and response against human trafficking.

SambaSafety and Truckers Against Trafficking

The DOT’s efforts serve as a reminder of the collective role that your employees play in protecting the communities they serve. Your drivers must familiarize themselves with the signs of human trafficking and report any suspicious activities.

In collaboration with Truckers Against Trafficking and in support of the DOT’s movement, SambaSafety offers a free training course, “Truckers Against Trafficking,” available in our “Free” library category for any of our customers leveraging our driver training solution. This course educates drivers on what human trafficking is, how to identify it, where it takes place and how to report it to authorities.

By working together, we can help protect vulnerable individuals, eradicate human trafficking and uphold the values of freedom and justice in our society.

To learn more about our free Truckers Against Trafficking course and explore SambaSafety’s online fleet training catalog, please visit the link below.

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