The Real Story

This Editorial appears in the Aug. 31 print edition of Transport Topics.

When trucks and truck drivers are mentioned in the general media, they seem almost invariably to be put in a bad light.

Trucks often are portrayed as noisy, smoky, fire-breathing monsters, scaring the daylights out of everyone else as they roar down the highway.

Drivers usually don’t fare much better. They’re frequently stereotyped as reckless cowboys — irresponsible, badly trained and not caring about the safety of anyone else on the road.

That’s why the National Truck Driving Championships are so refreshing. They tell the real story — the story of drivers and of a trucking industry devoted to safety — all celebrated this year in Pittsburgh, where 415 of the best drivers competed in the “Super Bowl of Safety.”

American Trucking Associations has sponsored the national truck driving challenge since 1937, in an event that allows as competitors only those who have been accident-free for a year. Most contestants have records that far exceed that standard. Full Story.......

YRC Driver Arthur Cage Reaches Safety Milestone of 5 Million Accident-Free Miles

Professional driver Arthur Cage has achieved the elite status of driving 5 million accident-free miles, making him the only driver in the history of the company to achieve this accomplishment.

Mr. Cage, 62, has driven for Roadway for 35 years. He is a linehaul driver working out of the service center in Memphis, Tenn. In a typical week, Mr. Cage makes three trips from Memphis to Houston, driving 1,160 miles each round trip.

"Arthur Cage is truly a leader and sets the highest standard of safety and professionalism with every mile that he drives," said Mike Smid, president of YRC National Transportation. "He exemplifies the engagement and pride essential to make our highways safe while meeting our customers' needs."

Driving 5 million miles without a preventable accident is an amazing safety accomplishment. It is equal to 10 round trips to the moon and back (238,857 miles each way) and is the equivalent of driving 909 round trips between Los Angeles and New York City.

Mr. Cage was recognized for his achievement at a safety celebration at the YRC service center in Memphis. He was honored with a police escort the last few miles into the service center, and was joined there by family, friends and fellow employees. Mr. Cage was presented a new Roadway tractor with his name and safety accomplishment emblazoned on the side. The tractor will be his to drive exclusively during the remainder of his career with YRC. Also at the celebration, a custom-designed trailer decorated with Mr. Cage's name, photo and safety accomplishment was unveiled. This trailer will be dedicated to the city operation in Memphis.

"Arthur has demonstrated a strong commitment to safety and customer service, going above and beyond to meet customer expectations," said Darrin Washington, director of regional operations in Memphis. "We congratulate Arthur and look forward to his next million safe miles."

Top Truck Drivers Named to New America's Road Team

The American Trucking Associations today announced the Captains of the 2009 - 2010 America's Road Team. The premier group of million-mile, accident-free professional truck drivers will spend the next two years representing the trucking industry and delivering its highway safety message to the motoring public.

18 captains, with a collective 468 years of experience and over 30.7 million safe-driving miles, were selected from a group of 34 finalists who competed this week before a panel of judges from the trucking industry and related fields. The competition included a review of trucking industry expertise and a demonstration of their communication skills, combined with their community service and lifetime safety records.

"The America's Road Team is the best way the trucking industry can reach out to the motoring public to advance the image of the industry," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "These elite professional drivers combine impressive safety records with the desire to share their dedication and passion for safety. The trucking industry is proud to welcome these new Captains as they serve as ambassadors, sharing trucking's message of professionalism, safety and essentiality."

ATA created America's Road Team in 1986. It continues today with the generous support of Volvo Trucks North America. The Team represents America's 3.5 million professional drivers and serves as an example of the professional dedication and teamwork needed to deliver America's freight safely and on time.

"Volvo Trucks congratulates the outstanding drivers chosen to represent the U.S. trucking industry in 2009 and 2010," said Scott Kress, Volvo Trucks senior vice president - sales & marketing. "Their driving records and complete professionalism demonstrate their commitment to safety and the pride they take in driving a truck well, every day. They make possible the benefit to society that the trucking industry delivers. Volvo also salutes their employers, since America's Road Team wouldn't happen without their support."

While maintaining their jobs as full-time professional drivers, the new America's Road Team Captains will now travel the country speaking on behalf of the trucking industry to the community, news media and public officials. The Captains will address transportation and safety issues, speaking at community events and anywhere they can reach the motoring public to share safe driving tips and offer advice on how to safely share the road with tractor-trailers.

The Road Team Captains also advocate safety to those within the industry at terminals and truck stops. They speak with fellow drivers, driver training students and corporate safety officers. They also have the opportunity to present trucking and safety issues before our public officials, at the national, state and local levels.

To be nominated to serve as a Road Team Captain, the candidates must be employed as a company driver or leased owner-operator by a full-dues-paying member of ATA. Each nominee must have an excellent safety record and demonstrate an ability to communicate a commitment to safety and professionalism.

2009-2010 America's Road Team Captains


NAME COMPANY HOME CITY / STATE

Gerald Charron Con-way Freight Danville, VT
Tim Dean Werner Enterprises Griswold, IA
Rich Ewing Yellow Transportation Bellingham, WA
John Foran United Parcel Service Saint Albans, VT
James Gallagher Roadway Williamsville, NY
Paul Gattin ABF Freight System Benton, AR
Ronald Hawkins, Jr. K-Limited Carrier Ltd. Perrysburg, OH
Mark Hassemer Yellow Transportation Whitelaw, WI
Barry Holland UPS Freight Hurlock, MD
Edward Hosegood Publix Super Markets, Inc. Lakeland, FL
Keith Johnson Roadway Eatonville, WA
Gary Leu Wal-Mart Transportation Shelbina, MO
Greg Nauertz Roadway Peoria, AZ
Kurt Pedersen Con-way Freight Surprise, AZ
Ben Saiz ABF Freight System Estancia, NM
Frank Silio Covenant Transport Miami, FL
Jeffrey Thompson FedEx Freight Olathe, KS
Ron Van Bibber Roadway South Jordan, UT