Fifteen years behind the wheel has made carrier driving a familiar part of Sabeta Durilala’s life in a field largely dominated by men.
The Wainibuku resident, has travelled across Viti Levu transporting household items, goods and water supplies while also helping families move homes and assisting with funeral arrangements.
At 30, Ms Durilala, being behind the wheel is not simply a way to earn a living it is something she enjoys.
“I usually love driving trucks and I’m passionate about it. It’s fun because you get to go to new places and travel around all the time,” she said.
Ms Durilala lives with her siblings and earns around $300 a week from her work.
Most of her customers hire her through the carrier base in Vatuwaqa, where people approach drivers for their contact numbers before making bookings.
“They usually come and ask for our phone number and then they’ll call. That’s when we go for pick ups.”
She can take two to three trips a week depending on customer bookings.
Recently she returned from Nadarivatu Dam after delivering water supplies from Ravin’s Transport.
She has also spent 15 years working at the carrier base and sometimes makes deliveries before returning to her usual carrier work.
“Working as a woman in a male-dominated field has come with its share of challenges.
“As a female carrier driver, I usually get competition from the other male carrier drivers. They usually talk about me because I’m a female driver,”
Rather than allowing the comments to discourage her, Ms Durilala said she has learned to focus on her work.
“I often just mind my own business. I’ve been in this field for a while and I’m actually used to it,”
When she is not working, Ms Durilala swaps the steering wheel for a Futsal ball.
She plays for the Suva club and attends training on specific days, using the sport as a way to stay active after spending long hours behind the wheel.
“Being a carrier driver, you get to sit all day and after my shift I get to play and train for Futsal,” Ms Durilala also encouraged motorists to show more patience when sharing the road with larger vehicles.
“Sometimes small-car drivers are inconsiderate. They just want to overtake and don’t give us big truck and carrier drivers space,”
She urged motorists to be patient, especially around pedestrians, and to show consideration and respect to all road users.
n Far left: Durilala in front of the carrier she drives for Ravin’s Transport.
Pictures: ELISABETA NAIVELI
