2022

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Attorney General Ashley Moody, Florida Trucking Association, and Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) are putting a spotlight on human trafficking – a crime that often hides in plain sight – and the critical role Florida’s trucking and law enforcement professionals play in combating it.

Florida’s Highway Heroes initiative is an ongoing outreach campaign that was launched in October 2020 to train Florida’s half a million licensed commercial drivers on how to identify and report suspected human trafficking. Florida’s commercial drivers are uniquely positioned to make a difference and close loopholes to traffickers who look to use transportation systems for their personal gain. Since the launch of the initiative, FLHSMV has trained nearly 4,600 licensed commercial drivers and nearly 400 FHP members through TAT on how to identify and report suspected trafficking.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “We will not sit idly by as traffickers travel Florida preying on vulnerable people to fuel their illicit practice. We are putting the pedal to the metal to train as many drivers as possible to help steer us toward our goal of ensuring Florida is a zero-tolerance state for human trafficking. There is no one road map that will get us there. Every truck driver in Florida needs to learn the signs, take the wheel, and help us speed toward this vital goal. By doing this, our Highway Heroes will not only make our roads safer, but they could also save the life of a trafficking victim in desperate need of help.”

“Florida’s 12,000 miles of highway and growing economy present residents and visitors to our state with many opportunities to travel for work and leisure. And while our expansive highway system affords us so much, criminals target our state and exploit our highways to traffic women, men, and children,” said FLHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “Through our Highway Heroes program, we have enlisted thousands of trucking industry and law enforcement professionals in Florida who are committed to serving as the eyes and ears of our highways. We are grateful for them, and safer because of them.”

FLHSMV’s division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) will be participating in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) three-day Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative, from Jan. 11 to Jan. 13. As part of the initiative, FHP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Troopers will be focusing on engaging with commercial motor vehicle drivers by handing out Truckers Against Trafficking’s (TAT) informational wallet cards during roadside inspections and enforcement stops across the state.

“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to doing everything possible to interrupt and combat human trafficking across our state and on our highway system,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “FHP troopers are trained to identify indicators of human trafficking, and to investigate potential trafficking situations with the intent of apprehending those criminals who take advantage of our vulnerable population, while treating all victims with dignity and respect, and never as criminals or perpetrators.”

TAT Deputy Director Kylla Lanier said, “We are very appreciative of the continued efforts of FLHSMV, the Office of the Florida Attorney General and the Florida Highway Patrol in the fight against human trafficking throughout the state of Florida. The more awareness raised, the more calls will be made to law enforcement, and lives will be saved. The Highway Heroes initiative recognizes the valuable role the commercial vehicle industry plays in combating this crime, and we look forward to its continued success.”

“Florida Trucking Association has long been committed to the fight against human trafficking, and we are proud to join forces with FLHSMV, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Florida Highway Patrol, and Truckers Against Trafficking on the Highway Heroes initiative,” said Alix Miller, president and CEO of Florida Trucking Association. “As the eyes and ears of Florida’s roadways, professional truck drivers play a pivotal role in combating this horrific crime, saving lives, and making Florida a stronger, safer place.”

Make the Call, Save Lives

When calling to report suspected human trafficking, law enforcement need actionable information to assist them including:

• Descriptions of cars or trucks (make, model, color, license plate, truck and/or USDOT number.) and people (height, weight, hair color, eye color, age.) Take a picture if possible.
• Specific times and dates (When did you see the event in question take place? What day was it?)
• Addresses and locations where suspicious activity took place.
• Be sure to tell them you suspect human trafficking, not prostitution.

Report Human Trafficking

The National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
The U.S. Department of Justice Hotline: 1-888-428-7581
Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
Local Authorities: 911 or *FHP (*347)

For more information on the Highway Heroes initiative, including access to the TAT training, please visit the FLHSMV Highway Heroes website.

FLHSMV is responsible for licensing all drivers in Florida, including commercial drivers, and FLHSMV’s division of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is responsible for educating, regulating, and enforcing laws related to commercial vehicle operations in the state.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education, and enforcement. Florida is leading the way to A Safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about FLHSMV and the services offered, visit https://www.flhsmv.gov, follow us on Twitter @FLHSMV, find us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.