On July 23, members of the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Women In Motion (WIM) Council gathered in Washington, D.C., for their annual “Call on Washington” a strategic initiative aimed at elevating awareness among lawmakers about the critical need for safe, reliable truck parking across the United States.
Dozens of women leaders from across the trucking industry participated in direct meetings with members of Congress and key staff on the House and Senate transportation committees. Their mission: to spotlight how inadequate parking endangers truck drivers, hampers productivity, and disproportionately affects female drivers entering the workforce.
A Vital Industry Issue with National Impact
Safe truck parking is a longstanding challenge in the transportation sector. With more than 3.5 million professional truck drivers navigating the country’s highways, the shortage of available and secure parking spots has become both a safety hazard and an economic issue. Drivers are often forced to park in unauthorized or unsafe locations due to a lack of options, increasing their risk of theft, fatigue-related accidents, and personal harm especially for women in the industry.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has acknowledged this crisis, and industry stakeholders, including ATA and its WIM Council, continue to push for legislative solutions to address this gap in infrastructure.
Voices from the Road
Among the industry advocates present was Ina Daly, an Arizona-based driver, and a captain of America’s Road Team. A veteran driver with a trailblazing career including being the first woman to win a National Truck Driving Championship title in 2013 Daly emphasized the importance of initiatives like Women In Motion.
“There are other women’s groups in trucking, but none have the ATA’s influence or direct access to lawmakers,” Daly said. “WIM is essential for tackling real issues that matter to women drivers like safe parking, training, and long-term career support.”
Joining Daly was fellow America’s Road Team captain Gina Jones. She underscored the value of unity in the trucking industry. “We’re all one family. If we stay together and bring our message directly to the people who can make change, we’ll see progress,” she said.
Also in attendance was Vontyna Durham, president of Memphis-based Xcelente Trucking and Logistics Training Services. Durham, who met with members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation, expressed optimism about the momentum generated by WIM’s advocacy. “We’re better together, and we’re stronger in numbers,” she noted.
Legislative Progress and Industry Support
Key lawmakers spoke in support of the truck parking initiative during a Capitol Hill reception.
Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, emphasized the urgent need for parking reform. “The truck parking problem has gotten so serious. It’s not just a matter of convenience it’s about your safety,” said Bost, who co-sponsored the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act. The bill aims to provide federal funds to help states build and maintain parking infrastructure for commercial drivers.
The fiscal 2026 House appropriations bill includes $200 million earmarked for truck parking expansion a clear sign that advocacy is gaining traction on the Hill.
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) also addressed the WIM group, highlighting progress on his Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which would redefine criteria for independent contractor classification. This is particularly important for owner-operators in the trucking sector, many of whom are concerned about recent regulatory challenges to the independent contractor model. “Your advocacy is critical. It affects not just your livelihood, but the entire U.S. economy,” Kiley said.
Women In Motion: Shaping the Future of Trucking
Women In Motion, a program launched by ATA in 2022, serves as a powerful voice for women in the trucking profession. The council seeks to promote policies that support career development, safety, and equity in an industry still heavily dominated by men. Through events like “Call on Washington,” WIM members are helping to bridge the gap between lawmakers and the real-world needs of drivers and fleet operators.
The council also focuses on workforce training, recruitment, retention, and creating pathways for women entering the field. Their goal: to ensure that trucking remains a viable, rewarding career option for all backed by infrastructure and legislation that supports safety and success.
Why Truck Parking Matters
Safety: Inadequate parking forces drivers to stop in unsafe or unauthorized areas, exposing them to crime or accidents.
Compliance: Drivers must comply with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, and a lack of parking often leads to violations.
Efficiency: Time wasted searching for parking cuts into driving time and impacts delivery schedules.
Female Drivers: Women, a growing demographic in trucking, are particularly vulnerable without safe, well-lit parking facilities.
According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), drivers spend an average of 56 minutes each day looking for parking. That’s nearly an hour of unpaid labor every day across the industry.
WIM’s presence in Washington, D.C. demonstrates that women are not just participating in the trucking industry they’re leading it. By continuing to elevate issues like truck parking, workforce training, and regulatory fairness, Women In Motion is helping shape a safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable future for America’s freight economy.
As policymakers consider infrastructure and labor-related legislation, the voices of those who know the road best are being heard and it’s making a difference.
