13th October 2005 - Professional Truck Drivers to Support National 'Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day'

Truck Drivers With Millions of Accident Free Miles Teach Safe Driving in U.S. Cities; Launch National Network to Save Lives on U.S. Highways

In over one dozen cities across the U.S. tomorrow, professional truck drivers with millions of accident free miles are fanning out to instruct school students, automobile motorists, and community organizations to promote safe driving habits among all motorists.

These Captains of America's Road Team, sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Volvo Trucks (http://www.truckline.com/art/artcaptains05.aspx), serve as excellent role models for motorists through public appearances and media interviews, demonstrating that traffic accidents and fatalities do not have to be inevitable on our highways.

The initiative is being launched in support of "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day" on October 10, 2005, sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers and other co-sponsors including AAA (see http://www.brakesonfatalities.org).  Each year October 10th is designated for this an annual day of observance to promote safe driving and reduce fatalities on U.S. highways.

ATA and Volvo Trucks are joining this national public affairs campaign by launching the National Highway Safety Network on this important day.  This is a network of dozens of professional truck drivers with millions of accident free miles who will begin to serve as local highway safety advisors for community organizations, educational facilities, law enforcement agencies, and others.

According to ATA President and CEO Bill Graves, "The trucking industry is pleased to put its support behind 'Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day' to promote safe driving by motorists of all cars and commercial vehicles."

Graves added, "Today we are using our national network of safe-driving professionals in the trucking business to teach basic safe driving tips to other motorists, and we will maintain our commitment to highway safety far into the future through the launch of the National Highway Safety Network."

Organizers cited the continuing need for public awareness based on the loss of life on America's roadways, estimated at 42,800 fatalities in 2004 by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), and described by U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta as a "national epidemic."  Based on NHTSA estimates approximately 5,000 of these deaths are "truck-involved;" 75% of which are unintentionally initiated by the automobile driver based on information form the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

America's Road Team is a national public outreach program, sponsored by the American Trucking Associations and Volvo Trucks North America.  The team is comprised of professional truck drivers who have superior driving skills, remarkable safety records, and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway. The American Trucking Associations, the voice of the trucking industry, created America's Road Team in 1986 to reach out to the trucking industry and the motoring public.

Source: American Trucking Association Press Release