Pawtucket, RI – In 2025, Rhode Island became one of fifteen states to require human trafficking recognition and reporting instruction as part of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training, thanks to legislation sponsored by Representative Robert Phillips and Senator Brian Thompson.

In commemoration of this milestone and in recognition of the national organization Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) and their role in thwarting this heinous crime, the New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS) and the Rhode Island Trucking Association (RITA) were pleased to co-host an important educational event on the NETTTS Pawtucket Campus on April 24 where the TAT Freedom Drivers Project Trailer Tour made a stop.

On hand was Representative Phillips, one of the prime sponsors of the 2025 legislation, filed at the suggestion of RITA, that requires CDL training institutions in Rhode Island integrate human trafficking awareness and reporting training as part of their classroom instruction.

Representative Phillips, RITA’s Chris Maxwell, officials from NETTTS, CDL candidates, government officials and members of the public toured the Freedom Drivers Project Trailer guided by TAT Director of Mobile Exhibits, Brandy Belton.

TAT partners with the trucking industry to ensure every professional truck driver understands the realities of human trafficking and the role they can play in helping to combat it. The Freedom Drivers Project Trailer, an initiative of TAT, is a first-of-its-kind mobile exhibit educating audiences about the realities of domestic sex trafficking.

“The exhibit includes chilling recounts of real instances human sex trafficking with authentic apparel that was worn by victims,” said RITA President Chris Maxwell. “The only solace comes from the fact that these victims were saved by vigilant, TAT-certified truck drivers”.

Visit the Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) website to learn more about their crucial mission.