Trucks at a rest area near Elizabethtown and Glendale, Ky.
A bill that would guarantee truckers on their routes have access to restrooms was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
As a response to long-standing concerns raised by industry stakeholders, policymakers introduced the Trucker Bathroom Access Act. Its sponsors are pressing for passage of the bill during this session of Congress.
“Truckers are this nation’s backbone,” said Troy Nehls (R-Texas), chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee and one of the measure’s co-lead sponsors, on April 1. “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, Rep. [Chrissy] Houlahan, in reintroducing legislation to ensure that truck drivers have access to the restroom at work.”
“Truck drivers are the backbone of our economy, but inhospitable working conditions have caused challenges with recruitment and retention,” said Houlahan (D-Pa.), the bill’s other co-lead sponsor and an Armed Services Committee member.
Nehls and Houlahan
“As female drivers are increasingly filling essential trucking positions, they face a lack of restroom access while making deliveries and pickups,” she added. “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.”
The legislation is designed to ensure commercial drivers gain access to restrooms at establishments. Such access must be similar to that given to customers and employees. The bill, referred to a committee of jurisdiction for consideration, has yet to be scheduled for a vote. Also on the roster as original sponsors of the bill are Reps. Brian Babin (R-Texas) and Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.). The lead sponsors introduced the measure during the previous session of Congress.
Endorsing the bill are groups like American Trucking Associations.
Spear
“Truck drivers are the heartbeat of our economy and critical to supply chain continuity,” ATA President Chris Spear said in a statement that accompanied the bill’s introduction.
“When they stop to make pickups or deliveries — which can take hours on end while the truck waits to be loaded or unloaded — drivers should have access to restroom facilities. Such basic accommodations are more than just common courtesy. This is about ensuring the dignity of drivers and supporting the men and women who do the heavy lifting to provide for everyone in this country,” Spear continued. “It can also help reduce a major barrier to retaining and recruiting more truck drivers, particularly women. ATA appreciates the leadership of Reps. Nehls and Houlahan in addressing this challenge faced by professional truck drivers, and we look forward to working with them to ensure that drivers’ most basic needs are met while they do the important work of delivering the nation’s goods.”
“As a professional truck driver, I understand the daily challenges drivers face in accessing clean and safe restrooms,” explained Sharae Moore, founder and CEO of She Trucking. “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. 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.”
