Truckers Against Trafficking

I finished my first full week at NTTS here in Syracuse. The majority of the week was spent on CDL Permit review and on the very back page of the NYS Commercial Driver manual is an add for Truckers Against Trafficking. With the current political rhetoric that seems to be going back in-forth these days about the boarder (It's a Crisis, It's not a Crisis) On of the main issues brought up is Human Trafficking. Looking back to last year I remember that Driver In Texas was convited and sentence to life for trafficking. I was wondering how prevalent is Human Trafficking out on the "Road" so to speak.

There is enough to keep that organization going. They have been doing this for many years.

The campaign is focused on truckers because these scum (the traffickers) use truck stops for food & restroom as well as lot-lizard business. There are so many transient people there.

If you want to follow up for more information, here's the link: Truckers Against Trafficking

Download a wallet card here. A quick run-down on what it is, how to recognize a trafficking situation, and what to do (Don't step in yourself!!):
TAT Wallet Card

Every class my (now former) teacher waits until he hears someone use the term "lot lizzard" and then he plays the video. Hasn't failed yet!

Video says the majority of the women who solicit at truck stops are under some form of coercion. The "woman" featured in the video was walking to Wendy's with her best friend (both about 15 at the time) when they were grabbed. They were "turned out" at truck stops with threats against family members. An alert trucker called authorities. They were rescued and a large sex trafficking ring was shut down. Many were saved and many more never taken as a result of one driver's action.

It is real and drivers can make a real difference.

Oh. They were going to buy Frostys.

The campaign is focused on truckers because these scum (the traffickers) use truck stops for food & restroom as well as lot-lizard business. There are so many transient people there.

If you want to follow up for more information, here's the link: Truckers Against Trafficking

Download a wallet card here. A quick run-down on what it is, how to recognize a trafficking situation, and what to do (Don't step in yourself!!):
TAT Wallet Card

I've checked out their web site allot of good information I will be checking out their training programs that they have to offer.

All of our outit's power units (day cab and sleeper) have the TAT sticker on the driver side vent window, with a text link listed. Not sure how many times, if any, my truck has been involved in helping someone out. One driver peeled it out, and was promptly rebuked. By other drivers. THAT, i thought, was sign that there is still humanity in our profession...

I'm bumping this topic. If you have 45 minutes - 1 hour, watch the TAT Training Video & Take TAT-Trained Quiz. Take the quiz and when you pass you can print a "Trained" certificate. (The certificate may be required anyway for your license and/or your driving job.)

Truck stops are a prime location for traffickers. Both for the potential "customers" and for the massive amount of transient people - where they and their cargo won't be noticed so much.

If you're wondering, the video stresses that you aren't to be the hero and rescue anyone. But you have eyes and ears and a cellphone, so you can call authorities with what you see. And yes, it's OK to misunderstand a situation and be wrong.