Female trucker surveys divide proponents on pay and cab design

While survey results of female truckers can vary, a common concern raised by respondents focuses on safety and respect, though that concern can shift depending on the situation.

A recent survey published by JW Surety Bonds shows that 68% of female truckers feel safe when working compared to 78% of male drivers.

Women in TruckingThough fewer women feel safe than men when working, that number changes drastically when women stop for sleep. The survey reveals that 89% of female drivers feel safe when sleeping in their truck compared to 11% who do not. That finding caught the attention of Madeline Weirman, reactive data lead at Fractl, the research team that conducted the study.

"If safety is a big concern for a woman considering getting into the trucking industry, hearing that so many women feel safe on the job must be a huge relief," Weirman said.

However as Max Farrell, CEO at WorkHound pointed out, the notion of safety can change yet again when women work directly with men, particularly during training.

“In the past we've seen feedback from women that were with a male trainer and they didn't feel safe,” Farrell said. “And if you're with a trainer, you're with them every day. Very rarely do you have a space where you're separate. And so if you're feeling unsafe, it's very awkward to call and say, 'I don't feel safe'.”