ABA Supports FMCSA Human Trafficking Awareness Efforts During National Prevention Month
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and this year the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) highlighted the critical role the transportation industry plays in identifying and preventing human trafficking. FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs recently released a video recognizing transportation professionals as key allies in this effort—and ABA was proud to support its production.
Administrator Barrs’ team reached out directly to ABA ahead of filming to emphasize the importance of having a motorcoach visibly represented in the video. ABA quickly helped secure a bus, reinforcing FMCSA’s recognition of buses and motorcoaches as key stakeholders on the road and of our drivers as trusted experts, partners, and extra sets of eyes in the fight against human trafficking. Following the filming, Administrator Barrs sent a letter to ABA expressing his appreciation for the industry’s willingness to move quickly and make it happen.
The video, released in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, highlights FMCSA’s commitment to raising awareness, strengthening partnerships, and empowering the transportation industry to help recognize and report trafficking. This year’s theme, “Stronger Connections. Stronger Futures,” emphasized how everyday interactions—especially those involving professional drivers—can help prevent this crime.
“The ABA Foundation is taking the lead in the fight to end human trafficking by annually investing $20,000 in the Freedom Drivers Project, a mobile transportation unit that travels across the country educating communities and providing resources on how to identify and prevent human trafficking,” says Lew Myers, ABA’s Director of Government Relations & Research. “In addition, the Foundation has established a Survivor Scholarship, awarding $5,000 each year to an individual survivor to support their transition and re-acclimation into society.”
FMCSA’s recognition of our industry’s leadership on this issue is a product of the ABA team’s proactive efforts to cultivate a strong relationship with the Administration. We remain committed to working with our federal partners to ensure drivers have the tools, training, and support needed to help combat human trafficking and keep our nation’s roads safe.
