For female truck drivers, safety isn’t just about avoiding inconvenience—it’s about survival. Navigating unfamiliar urban terrain, dealing with exhaustion, and trying to find a secure place to park can be especially stressful for women.
“I don’t feel safe unless I’m parked at a location with good lighting and other drivers around,” says Michelle N., an OTR driver who often hauls through Nevada. “There are places I just won’t go, no matter how tired I am. You learn that early.”
While truck stops like TA and Pilot offer secure parking in some states, Las Vegas options are limited. Some female drivers have reported being harassed or feeling watched in unsecured lots, particularly in industrial zones without security personnel.
Many female drivers rely on peer-to-peer networking groups, private Facebook communities, and mobile apps to find vetted safe parking locations. Apps like Trucker Path and TruckMap allow users to leave reviews and flag unsafe areas, giving women real-time feedback on the safety of certain stops.
Recommended practices for female drivers include:
- Checking the latest user reviews of parking lots through safety-oriented driver apps.
- Parking near cameras or close to building entrances where foot traffic is higher.
- Carrying non-lethal self-defense tools like pepper spray or a tactical flashlight.
- Installing cab alarms or panic buttons.
As more women enter the trucking industry, parking infrastructure and safety protocols must adapt. Secure parking isn’t a perk—it’s a right. Every driver, regardless of gender, deserves to sleep without fear.
