by Women In Trucking Staff, on Jan 19, 2026 9:23:00 AM
TAT’s Heather Fry, along with Mari Robertson with PepsiCo Foods, Korri Adams with Ryder System and Brittani Guzzetta, with TA Dedicated, discuss the tools for action and intervention to combat human trafficking at WIT’s 2025 Accelerate! Conference in Dallas last November.
February is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on a horrific crime that often goes unseen but occurs every day along America’s roadways. Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry, and highways, truck stops, rest areas, and travel centers are frequently used by traffickers to transport and exploit victims. Because of this, professional truck drivers are uniquely positioned to help identify and report suspicious activity that could save lives.
Professional truck drivers can be the eyes and ears of the road. Their constant presence at loading docks, fuel stops, parking areas, and roadside facilities places them in environments where trafficking indicators may appear. Unlike the general public, drivers notice patterns. They recognize behavior that seems out of place, vehicles that linger too long, or individuals who appear controlled, fearful, or unable to speak freely.
Recognizing the Signs
For years, the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has fostered a strategic relationship with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), which empowers the transportation industry to combat human trafficking. Established in 2009, TAT started with a simple, yet powerful, belief: that every truck driver can be a crucial ally in the fight against human trafficking. Since then, TAT has grown to encompass a greater portion of the transportation industry, forming deep alliances to maximize collective effort through programs that include innovative training, partnerships with law enforcement and advocacy efforts. Using targeted systems change as TAT’s model, this critical association has raised awareness about trafficking, who it targets and its signs, and equipped individuals to take action whenever their lives intersect with it and its victims.
TAT encourages driver members of WIT to look for patterns and behaviors, not to make assumptions or try to intervene. Their guidance focuses on observing, documenting, and reporting. Key advice includes the following:
Watch for Behavioral Red Flags. TAT emphasizes that behavior is often the strongest indicator:
- A person who appears fearful, anxious, submissive, or disoriented
- Someone who avoids eye contact, seems coached, or lets another person speak for them
- Individuals who appear unable to leave on their own or are constantly monitored
- Signs of someone being controlled through threats, intimidation, or dependency
Notice Physical and Situational Indicators. Drivers are encouraged to trust their instincts when something feels “off,” such as bruises, injuries, malnourishment, or extreme fatigue; inappropriate clothing for the weather or situation; a person who lacks access to identification, money, or a phone; and/or minors involved in commercial sex acts (this is trafficking 100% of the time).
Red flags can include frequent movement between vehicles or rooms; transactions that seem secretive or rushed; individuals being transported repeatedly by the same person.
Do Not Intervene
A core TAT message is never confront a suspected trafficker or victim. Intervention can put both the driver and the victim in danger. Instead:
- Write down descriptions, license plates, locations, and times
- Report what you see through proper channels
- Report Safely and Effectively
TAT encourages reporting through the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) or the TAT mobile app, which allows drivers to submit tips quickly and anonymously. Even partial information can be critical. Drivers are reminded that they are not responsible for proving trafficking, only for reporting suspicious activity.
TAT’s guidance boils down to three simple actions: Learn the signs. Trust your instincts. Make the call. This approach empowers professional truck drivers to be a vital line of defense against human trafficking — without putting themselves at risk.
Related Articles:
- Driving Change in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
- The Industry Push to Stop Human Trafficking
- Truckers Helping in So Many Ways Every Day
- How to Spot Human Trafficking and What to Do About It
- Jessica Midkiff, Survivor, named WIT Member of the Month
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