WASHINGTON — The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is announcing its strong support for the Trucker Bathroom Access Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) to ensure that truckers have access to restroom facilities when they are picking up or delivering cargo.
“Over 70% of America’s freight is exclusively carried by trucks, yet every single day men and women truck drivers are forced to ‘hold it’ because they aren’t allowed access to the restroom when picking up or delivering freight,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA president. “OOIDA and our 150,000 members thank Representatives Nehls and Houlahan for showing tremendous leadership on this issue and we look forward to working with them and our coalition partners to get this commonsense, bipartisan legislation signed into law.”
OOIDA executive vice president, Lewie Pugh, recently testified before congress on the issue.
“Truck drivers are the backbone of our economy, but inhospitable working conditions have caused challenges with recruitment and retention,” Houlahan said. “As female drivers are increasingly filling essential trucking positions, they face a lack of restroom access while making deliveries and pickups. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure every truck driver is guaranteed access to a restroom while they do their critical jobs, breaking down a systemic barrier that has kept women out of the industry. Truck drivers are essential for our economy and should not have less access to restroom facilities than other employees in their own workplaces.”
Women in Trucking Association
The Women in Trucking Association (WIT) also supports the Trucker Bathroom Access Act.
“Women In Trucking Association is proud to support this legislation and is grateful for the leadership of Representatives Nehls and Houlahan in recognizing this basic necessity for drivers,” said Jennifer Hedrick, president, CEO, WIT. “Changes like these encourage more women to enter the trucking profession and boost the safety, security, and efficiency of our supply chain.”
Sharae Moore, founder and CEO of She Trucking noted that as a professional truck driver, she understands the challenges all drivers face when trying to find clean, safe restroom access.
“Time-sensitive loads, heavy traffic, unpredictable weather, and limited truck parking often make it nearly impossible for drivers to find necessary restroom facilities when they need them,” Moore said. “The Trucker Bathroom Access Act is a vital step toward ensuring that all truck drivers, especially women, have access to restrooms while on the road. She Trucking proudly supports this bill and the effort to improve working conditions for the men and women behind the wheel.”
The Trucker Bathroom Access Act
- Require retailers, warehouses and other businesses to give truckers access to bathroom facilities when they are picking up cargo or making deliveries.
- Not require businesses to construct new restrooms. It only requires that if a business has a restroom available to their customers or employees, truckers should have the same access.
- Require the operators of ports and terminals to provide bathroom access to drayage drivers.
“Truckers are this nation’s backbone,” Nehls said. “Our nation’s hardworking truckers keep our country moving and should have access to bathroom facilities while they are on the road—it’s common sense. I’m proud to join my colleague, Congresswoman Houlahan, in reintroducing legislation to ensure that truck drivers have access to the restroom at work.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
As a female teuck driver I will say it is extremely hard to find bathrooms without having to pull off into a truck stop whick takes an average of 20 to 30 minutes from my daily work hrs. I would also hope that thos would help clean up the # of pee bottles laying on the ground also. Thats just gross any how. Please pass this act and help us clean up and look respectful again.
NO PORTA-JOHNS! This seems to be the new normal now. I for one don’t S#!t OUT Side. especially in minus degree and above 90 degree Temps. Can we make sure that loop hole is closed.
I simply cannot understand that every time when I go thru the gate I do not have to pee. but when I get to the checking window with my paper work I suddenly urgently need to pee.
Only to be told that we do not have restrooms for drivers.
I 100% support this legislation to make bathroom access for the Trucking community.
James C
Coker Trucking
This is interesting to me. I personally have never one time been refused access to a restroom. However when I think of a truck driver in a bathroom the first thing that comes to mind is Achmed washing his feet in the sink in the Pilot restroom, or Jeff taking up a sink for a half hour brushing his teeth.
That being said what gets me is the fact I emailed Mr. Spencer about the proposal of getting paid for the delivery of freight inside a week’s time (along with other rare con reaping by brokers), especially considering the second largest broker in North America has a net worth of $8B. Not only was he too busy to reply, but the laggy from OOIDA who did (Michael Wood) informed me 30-90 days was simply “industry standard.”
So as a motor carrier we’re expected to wait over 30 days for payment on a delivered load, yet they’re advocating for the use of a restroom at a shipping and receiving facility by drivers.
I now see why they were simply indisposed past the point of ability to contribute concern to something important for the industry.