CVSA Releases Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative Results

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has released results from a special Human Trafficking Awareness initiative conducted during this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026.

Commercial motor vehicle enforcement agencies in 10 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces participated in the effort. The campaign focused on educating truck drivers, motor carriers, law enforcement officers, and the public about possible signs of human trafficking and how suspicious activity can be reported.

CVSA collected data from June 1 through July 30, 2026. During that period, inspectors conducted thousands of commercial vehicle inspections while participating agencies distributed awareness materials and held outreach events.

Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign Reached Drivers

According to CVSA, participating jurisdictions distributed 4,484 human trafficking awareness materials during the initiative. Those materials included:

• 2,851 wallet cards
• 767 window decals
• 704 postcards
• 162 posters

Enforcement agencies also delivered 37 presentations, hosted 11 public events, and made 41 media contacts before and during the international soccer competition.

The campaign was launched as millions of fans, workers, and visitors traveled throughout North America for the event. CVSA said large international events can create increased concerns surrounding human trafficking, making education and awareness an important part of prevention efforts.

The initiative was developed in close collaboration with TAT, formerly known as Truckers Against Trafficking.

More Than 4,000 Commercial Vehicle Inspections Conducted

Roadside inspections were also a major part of the Human Trafficking Awareness initiative.

Inspectors conducted a combined 4,340 Level I, Level II, and Level III commercial motor vehicle inspections during the reporting period.

CVSA also reported that inspectors encountered 237 commercial motor vehicles carrying passengers. Those inspections documented 244 authorized passengers and three unauthorized passengers.

CVSA did not state in its announcement that the unauthorized-passenger findings were confirmed human trafficking cases. The figures were reported as part of the inspection data collected during the initiative.

Roadside inspections gave enforcement personnel another opportunity to interact directly with commercial drivers and passengers while looking for circumstances that could indicate possible exploitation.

Truck Drivers Were Part of the Outreach Effort

For truck drivers, the initiative was not limited to enforcement.

CVSA said participating agencies discussed human trafficking reporting resources with drivers at the conclusion of inspections. Some jurisdictions also added anti-trafficking information to inspection reports and distributed wallet cards and window decals.

The transportation industry has become an important part of human trafficking awareness efforts because professional drivers regularly travel through locations where suspicious activity could potentially be observed.

Truck stops, rest areas, highways, border crossings, and other transportation facilities can put drivers and enforcement personnel in contact with a wide range of people and situations.

CVSA said inspectors, professional drivers, and other transportation workers may encounter indicators of exploitation because of where they work and travel. The purpose of the campaign was to improve awareness so those individuals know what to look for and where concerns can be reported.

Human Trafficking Awareness Efforts Continue Year-Round

The summer campaign was a special initiative, but it is part of CVSA’s larger Human Trafficking Prevention Program.

Earlier in 2026, 56 jurisdictions across North America participated in CVSA’s annual Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative. That broader campaign included law enforcement agencies and transportation organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

During the annual initiative, officials reported conducting 9,375 Level I inspections, 14,376 Level II inspections, and 15,067 Level III inspections. More than 9,200 people also received outreach training, while tens of thousands of educational materials were distributed.

CVSA says its Human Trafficking Prevention Program continues throughout the year through enforcement, investigations, education, and outreach within the commercial motor vehicle industry.

Reporting Suspected Human Trafficking

The special summer initiative demonstrates how commercial vehicle inspections are increasingly being used for more than checking equipment and driver compliance. They can also provide an opportunity for enforcement officers to distribute information and identify potentially suspicious situations.

CVSA encourages commercial drivers, transportation employees, enforcement personnel, and members of the public to report suspected trafficking activity to the appropriate authorities.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline in the United States can be reached at 888-373-7888. Canada’s hotline is 833-900-1010, while the number provided by CVSA for Mexico is 800-553-3000.

For truck drivers, the results also reinforce the role the commercial transportation industry has been given in broader anti-trafficking efforts. Drivers spend significant time on highways and at transportation facilities across the country, placing them in locations where recognizing and reporting suspicious circumstances could potentially help authorities identify trafficking activity.