Dot Transportation Partners With Truckers Against Trafficking

At Dot Transportation, Inc. (DTI), we are proud to partner with Truckers Against Trafficking–a non-profit organization focused on educating frontline workers—including over-the-road drivers–to recognize and report potential instances of human trafficking.

According to the International Labor Organization, there are more than 50 million victims of human trafficking throughout the world and according to the US National Human Trafficking Hotline, victims in the US have been found in all 50 states and Washington DC. Historically, truck stops and rest areas throughout the United States have been targeted by traffickers as places to exploit victims due to their remoteness, convenience, and never-ending flow of travelers (most of whom are non-local). 

To combat this, Truckers Against Trafficking trains its partners to be the eyes and ears of the lots and roadways they occupy. When they see something suspicious, drivers are encouraged to call a designated hotline, or report directly to law enforcement. By educating vigilant drivers on what to look out for in terms of trafficking signs, and what to do when something seems off, TAT and their partners are helping to put an end to the awful practices that are unfortunately so common in these public spaces. 

When DTI director of terminals Clint McDonald first saw what Truckers Against Trafficking was doing for transportation companies throughout the nation, he knew that DTI needed to be a part. 

“Hearing their director talk about human trafficking, it struck a chord with me like it would with anyone,” he said. “I knew there was value in getting us on board.”

Bringing DTI President Bryan Langston into the mix, Clint presented to DTI directors at this year’s NBM and eventually introduced TAT training at driver safety meetings.

To date, more than 85 percent of DTI drivers have completed TAT training with even more slated for the near future. Plans are underway to get a wallet guide in every DTI cab and the TAT app added to all driver tablets–both handy reference guides for drivers on the go. All in all, driver response to the mission has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We have more than 2,000 drivers all over the country in spots where these things occur. Lots of drivers have come forth with their own stories about things they’ve seen on the road and they are happy we’ve stepped forward on this,” McDonald said. Clint and the DTI teams are currently in talks with the Dot Foods charitable committee to find other avenues to support the cause for drivers and non-drivers alike. 

Additional partners of Truckers Against Trafficking include UPS, Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, Penske, JB Hunt, Love’s, Pilot, TravelCenters of America, along with dozens more.

For more information on Truckers Against Trafficking, visit truckersagainsttrafficking.org.