CALGARY, Alta. –The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) is searching for professional truck drivers to serve as Road Knights.

AMTA Road Knights are professional transport drivers with first-class driving records who meet with community groups to share their knowledge about how to safely share the road with trucks. AMTA officials say their mission is to make roadways safer by encouraging all road users to be partners in safety. They also make presentations about careers in trucking and the importance of the industry to Canada’s economy.

“Participating as a Road Knight is an exciting opportunity for transport drivers to speak on behalf of the industry’s best drivers, and an excellent way for carriers to demonstrate their commitment to road safety education,” says Mayne Root, executive director of the AMTA. “The time requirement is about one or two days each month.”

As official AMTA Road Knights, drivers will appear at driving schools, business clubs, primary, junior and senior high schools, and social clubs, among others, to help get the word out about how to safely share the road with a truck, to increase awareness of trucking’s economic importance and to promote the industry as a viable career choice. Team members will also be available to the media for interviews. AMTA will provide media-relations and public-speaking training, and will arrange speaking opportunities and public appearances for drivers. Team members will also be supplied with supporting brochures and videos to help communicate the message of road safety.

Each team member serves for two-years and will be provided with an outfit to wear -emblazoned with the program’s crest -while making presentations.

“We’re not looking for professional speakers,” Root says. “Were looking for drivers who like meeting people, are eager to communicate with the public about the industry, have a strong commitment to road safety, and who project a professional image.”

Nominees must be Alberta-based full-time company drivers or owner/ operators with a solid safety record and good communications skills. The nominating company must be a member in good standing with the AMTA.

The deadline for nominations is Dec. 31. To obtain an application kit, visit www.amta.ca. For more information, call Dr. William Raccah at 403-214-3428 or williamr1@amta.ca.