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News and Events july 1, 2015
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Congressman Ribble Gets Ride-along from Women In Trucking

It’s not every day a professional driver can share her thoughts with a Congressman, especially one who serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Lisa Buhrow, a driver for Walmart Private Fleet, recently shared her experience with U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI).

The ride-along was arranged by the Women In Trucking (WIT) Association and began with an informal discussion at the Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Congressman Ribble talked about trucking issues with Lisa and also met FVTC graduate Julie Matulle, the 2014 Top Rookie of the Year and professional driver for H.O. Wolding, Inc.

Not only did Congressman Ribble learn about the trucking industry from the driver’s perspective, his visit to FVTC was to one of the top driver truck training facilities in the Midwest where women drivers make up about twelve to fifteen percent of the program's student base.

Officials from FVTC, including Rob Behnke, Chair of Truck Driver Training, greeted the media and attendees, which also included Wisconsin State Rep. Mike Rohrkaste. WIT President/CEO Ellen Voie also spoke with the elected officials and discussed the importance of bringing more women into the industry.


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ATA Applauds Sen. Fischer’s Efforts to Create Jobs and Ease Driver Shortage

New Bill Creates Pilot Program to Allow Younger CDL Holders to Cross State Lines

Recently, the American Trucking Associations thanked Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and offered its support for her bill to create job opportunities and address the growing shortage of commercial truck drivers by studying lowering the age commercial drivers can operate across state lines.

“In each of the continental United States, a person can get a commercial driver’s license and drive a truck at the age of 18, but federal law prevents them from driving across state lines until they reach the age of 21,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “It is illogical that a 20-year-old can drive the 500 miles from San Francisco to San Diego, but not the eight miles from Memphis, Tennessee to West Memphis, Arkansas – or simply cross the street in Texarkana. Even more illogical is that a 20-year-old may not drive a truck in any state if the cargo in it originated outside the state or will eventually leave the state by some other means.”

Recognizing this problem, Sen. Fischer has introduced a bill to launch a pilot study for addressing this problem. In addition, the legislation will create more job openings for recent high school graduates; a group that suffers unemployment rates up to triple that of the national average.

“As our population grows and our freight demands increase, we are going to need more drivers. The Commercial Driver Act helps solve two problems by expanding the pool of eligible drivers and creating employment opportunities for younger Americans,” Graves said.

ATA estimates that the current shortage of drivers is roughly 35,000 to 40,000, but because of retirements and individuals leaving the industry, trucking companies will need to recruit nearly 100,000 new drivers a year over the next decade to keep pace with the country’s freight needs.

“Trucks move nearly 70% of our nation’s goods, and we need well-trained, professional drivers to do so,” Graves said. “We know younger drivers can operate safely hauling freight within their respective states, but the Commercial Driver Act takes a step toward showing they can safely cross state lines as well. This would be a tremendous benefit for trucking and the economy and we thank Sen. Fischer for her leadership on this important issue.”

Women In Trucking Photo Contest

Last summer the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) launched the “I HEART Trucking” image campaign featuring driver-submitted videos explaining why they love (HEART) the trucking industry. This year they are hosting an exciting "I HEART Trucking" photo contest. The contest runs through July 24. Sponsors and two of the judges of the contest are Waste Management and Schneider.

"The I HEART Trucking photo contest offers drivers and transportation professionals a way to share their view of the trucking life with others in a positive way," said Ellen Voie, WIT President/CEO. "From beautiful scenery to unique trucks and special people in the industry, this contest will show a different side of the professional driver’s lifestyle."

Anyone employed in the trucking industry may submit one photo for judging on the Women In Trucking website. Contestant does not have to be a WIT member to submit their photo. Entries will be judged based on originality, composition, quality, and "I HEART Trucking" theme. The two winning photos, Judges' Choice and Peoples' Choice determined by online votes July 25-31, will be recognized at an “I HEART Trucking” reception at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas, Texas (August 27-29, 2015).

Along with the photo theme, a photo booth will be in the WIT booth #11039 at GATS where show attendees can have their picture taken.

Women In Trucking Association, Inc. is a nonprofit association established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Membership is not limited to women, as 16 percent of its members are men who support the mission. Follow WIT on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. For more information, visit http://www.womenintrucking.org or call 888-464-9482.

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