Taylor received the award after assisting a trafficking victim in 2018 and now serves on the TAT Advisory Committee, where he continues supporting the organization’s mission to educate transportation professionals about recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking.

“Freedom is a privilege that every human being should have, and being identified with a freedom fighter like Harriet Tubman enriched my life to keep that fight alive at all costs,” Taylor said.

Why Professional Drivers Can Make a Difference

According to Taylor, professional drivers are in a unique position because they travel through cities, rural communities, truck stops and highways across the country, allowing them to observe situations that others may never encounter.

“We have eyes all over the road, on city streets, neighborhoods and all over,” Taylor said. “Everything in the country is delivered by trucks, which means there are a set of eyes everywhere.”

He added that drivers are accustomed to staying alert throughout the workday and often notice activity that appears out of place.

Training Helps Drivers Recognize Warning Signs

Taylor said TAT’s training gives drivers practical information about recognizing potential trafficking situations and understanding how to respond appropriately.

Rather than encouraging drivers to intervene directly, TAT emphasizes observing suspicious activity, documenting details when it is safe to do so, and reporting concerns to law enforcement through the appropriate channels.

According to the organization, its educational resources include online training, refresher courses and a mobile app designed to help transportation professionals identify potential warning signs and understand recommended reporting procedures.

A Life-Changing Experience

Taylor said assisting the trafficking victim in 2018 changed his perspective on the issue.

“The incident with a trafficking victim changed my life,” he said. “Human trafficking didn’t feel real until you heard about their life dealing with it.”

A U.S. military veteran, Taylor said he has long believed in helping people in need whenever possible, adding that his experience reinforced the importance of remaining aware of situations that may require law enforcement assistance.

Free Resources Available for Drivers

TAT offers free training materials for transportation professionals, including on-demand online courses, refresher training, and a mobile application available for Apple and Android devices in multiple languages.

According to TAT, individual training courses take approximately 35 minutes or less to complete and are available to both individual drivers and companies that choose to train their employees.

Additional information about TAT’s training resources is available on the organization’s website.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 12, 2026

Source: The Trucker, Lyn Leeburg

Image Source: TAT, Arian Taylor, Lyn Leeburg

The post TAT Highlights Truck Driver’s Role in Combating Human Trafficking appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The award recognizes individuals in the trucking, bus, and energy industries whose direct actions have either helped prevent human trafficking or improved the lives of those affected by exploitation. Recipients receive a $5,000 award and a trophy.

Eligible nominations must involve an incident that occurred in the United States or Canada, and nominees must live in one of those countries.

Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 15.

Industry Employees Encouraged to Share Their Experiences

TAT is asking individuals to come forward if they have been involved in situations where they took action to help someone they believed may have been a trafficking victim.

“Please share your story if you’ve taken any action to help someone you think might be a trafficking victim or a potential trafficking victim,” said Laura Cyrus, TAT senior director of Industry Training and Outreach, “Even if you’re not sure what you did is ‘award worthy.’ The stories of our Harriet Tubman Award winners are important. These stories serve to encourage others in the industry to stay vigilant around this effort.”

Those interested in nominating someone for the award can review the nomination process while submissions remain open.

Survey Available for Companies

To help identify potential nominees, TAT has made a survey available for companies to use internally.

According to the organization, the survey can be distributed to both frontline employees and drivers through company communications, driver messaging systems, and other internal channels. The goal is to help uncover stories that may qualify for award consideration.

Companies interested in obtaining the survey can contact info@tatnonprofit.org.

Award Honors Harriet Tubman’s Legacy

TAT created the Harriet Tubman Award in 2013 and named it after the famed abolitionist whose actions helped guide enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Tubman’s personal efforts resulted in 70 enslaved people reaching freedom, while her broader role in the abolition movement contributed to the liberation of thousands more.

Born into slavery in 1820, Tubman later became the first African American woman to be buried with full military honors. She was also the first woman to have the inaugural Liberty ship named after her by the U.S. Maritime Commission.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 5, 2026

Source: Truckers News

The post TAT Accepting Nominations For 2026 Harriet Tubman Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.