The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) joins a
national initiative by signing the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking
pledge, according to agency officials.
The Department of Transportation’s initiative is comprised of transportation and travel
industry stakeholders working jointly to maximize their collective impact in combating
human trafficking. The partnership focuses on five key areas: leadership, education and
training, policy development, public awareness and outreach, and information sharing and
analysis.
On May 4, 2017, the Arkansas General Assembly passed a law requiring any individual
applying for a commercial driver license to complete Human Trafficking training and
provide a certificate to the Department of Finance and Administration. More than 1,900
ARDOT employees have participated in the Truckers Against Trafficking training in order to
receive their license.
According to the United States Department of Transportation, as many as 20 million men,
women, and children are held against their will and trafficked into forced labor and
prostitution. Those committing this crime are using roadways to traffic victims. Employee
education and training are an important piece of the effort to stop it from happening in our
State.
Arkansas Highway Police participate in Human Trafficking training as well. Officers are
required to take a three-hour course through the Criminal Justice Institute.
“Our officers in the field conduct surveillance at high-volume traffic facilities,” Arkansas
Highway Police Chief Jay Thompson said. “We are committed to providing a safer
environment in our State.”
“ARDOT is proud to be a partner in this initiative. If we work together, we can help put an
end to human trafficking,” Bennett emphasized.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statues and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Therefore, the ARDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, disability, religion (not applicable as a protected group under the FMCSA Title VI Program), LEP, or low-income status in the admission, access to and treatment in ARDOT’s programs and activities, as well as the ARDOT’s hiring or employment practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination and inquiries regarding the ARDOT’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Joanna P. McFadden, Section Head - EEO/DBE (ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator), P. O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203, (501) 569-2298, (Voice/TTY 711), or the following email address: joanna.mcfadden@ardot.gov
Free language assistance for Limited English Proficient individuals is available upon request.
This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape and in Braille.