Near Perfection: America's Road Team 1999

The captains of America’s Road Team for 1999 are a diverse group of professional truck drivers from around the nation, but what they all share is a near-perfect safety record and a common desire to promote the industry.

The 13th team fielded by American Trucking Associations represents the best of the best of the trucking world. The 12 Road Team captains together have logged 21 million accident-free miles and share 247 years of driving experience.

Each year, ATA asks its member companies to nominate employees worthy of representing the entire industry. A panel of judges weeds through the more than 2,000 nominees to get to 24 semifinalists, who are invited to ATA headquarters in Alexandria, Va. There, after an intensive three-day competition of tests, interviews and speeches, the captains are selected.

“These truck drivers represent the finest in the industry,” said ATA President Walter B. McCormick Jr. at the introduction of this year’s Road Team, Jan. 19. “Their safety records are exemplary and their commitment to professionalism and community are unsurpassed.”

Later in the day, the Road Team captains were honored at a special ceremony in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee room of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I want to congratulate all of you for the recognition you received,” said Tom Petri (R-Wis.), chairman of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee. “You will serve well as role models for the public and others in your profession throughout the U.S.”

Each month during their 18-month term, the captains will take a few days off from hauling freight to talk with the news media, school children and the motoring public about highway safety. They also will visit with other truck drivers, offering tips about defensive driving, professionalism and courtesy.

The Road Team was created by ATA in 1986 to educate the public about the dedication and safety that exist throughout the industry.

Here the captains of America’s Road Team for 1999:

Dale Anderson, who works for Crouse Cartage Co., Carroll, Iowa, and has driven more than 2 million accident free miles throughout his 40-year career.
Vickie L. Carpenter, a driver for RPS Inc., Nashville, Tenn., with more than 1.5 million accident free miles and 12 years of driving experience.
Marilyn Cochrane, who has been a truck driver for 15 years and has logged over one million accident-free miles. Ms. Cochrane works for U.S. Xpress out of San Diego.
Mike Dakan, a driver for Schneider National Carriers, Carlisle, Penn., who has been a truck driver for 13 years and has driven 1.75 million miles without an accident.
David Fluke, of Viking Freight, Sacramento, Calif., who has logged more than 1.5 million accident-free miles during his 15-year career.
Al Gerber, a driver for Con-Way Central Express, Rockford, Ill., with more than three million miles accident-free throughout his 27-year career.
Scott Harris, who works for ABF Freight System, Cohoes, N.Y. and has driven 550,000 miles of city driving without an accident during his 13-year career.
Keith Herzig, who is employed by RPS Inc. of Willington Conn., and who has driven 1.6 million miles without an accident throughout his 18 years as a trucker.
Victor A. Jarvis Sr., of M.S. Carriers, Memphis, Tenn., who has been a truck driver for 17 years and has driven more than two million miles accident-free.
Eddie E. Roberts, who drives for Safeway Inc. Landover, Md. and has completed two million accident-free miles throughout his 28 years on the road.
Joe Webster, a driver for Overnite Transportation Co., Kansas City, Kansas, with over one million miles without an accident throughout his 17-year career.
Jimmy K. Woodson, of Roadway Express, Memphis, Tenn., whose career spans 33 years and includes more than three million miles without an accident.
/ul>
I>For the full story, see the Jan. 25 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.