WASHINGTON, D.C. — The top executive representing the nation's travel plazas has hit the highway with one of the industry's most decorated commercial drivers in a high-profile push to improve highway safety and driver facilities. NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings has teamed up with Werner Enterprises professional driver Jennifer Evans for a week-long, 1,200-mile freight run originating in Joliet, Illinois. The route exposes travel plaza leadership to the daily realities faced by OTR truck drivers, focusing specifically on rest area security, parking availability, and driver amenities.
For millions of professional drivers navigating the national supply chain, finding a secure place to park a rig remains a daily operational hazard. Mullings and Evans are stopping at various commercial travel centers along their route to evaluate facilities from the perspective of an active CDL-A driver. Mullings brings a quarter-century of experience leading NATSO to the cab, having previously logged 40,000 miles across 49 states in an Airstream trailer to study roadside infrastructure. This latest partnership directly targets the infrastructure gaps that frustrate owner-operators and company drivers alike.
Werner Enterprises assigned Jennifer Evans to helm the truck for the 1,200-mile excursion. Evans has accumulated 1.3 million accident-free miles since joining Werner in 2003, earning multiple safety accolades along the way. Jaime Hamm, Werner's vice president of safety and compliance, noted that Evans brings an exceptional perspective as a female professional driver and a former member of the company's 2019 Road Team. The collaboration aims to translate real-world feedback from the asphalt directly into actionable upgrades at truck stops nationwide, helping trucking companies retain qualified drivers.
What This Means for Drivers
Better truck stop infrastructure directly impacts hours-of-service compliance and driver fatigue management. When executives experience the actual difficulty of finding legal parking after dark, capital investment in secure, well-lit lots tends to follow. This firsthand exposure helps travel center operators understand why safe berths and reliable amenities are essential for driver retention across the industry.
Industry Reaction
Major carriers and trade associations continue to emphasize that driver well-being dictates overall fleet safety performance. Initiatives that bridge the gap between facility operators and the cockpit help address the ongoing driver shortage by making the profession more sustainable. Trucking companies hiring today recognize that retention relies heavily on the quality of life drivers experience between shifts.
Key Points
- NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings is riding along with Werner driver Jennifer Evans for a 1,200-mile trip from Joliet, Illinois.
- Jennifer Evans is a 2003 Werner veteran with 1.3 million accident-free miles and past service on the 2019 Werner Road Team.
- The initiative focuses on evaluating truck stop security, parking availability, and amenities for commercial drivers.
- The partnership aims to generate real-world feedback to help travel center operators improve conditions and retain drivers.
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