MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (May 12, 2005) — Heather Riddell, a 23-year bus driving veteran of Elliott Coach Lines in Guelph, Ont., was honoured recently with the Motor Vehicle Safety Association’s Person of the Year Award.

The association — made of mainly driver trainer and related safety groups — hands out the annual award to an individual who has made or is making an outstanding contribution to road safety in Ontario.

Riddell started her career as a school bus driver before becoming a driver-trainer in 1989. She is currently Elliot Coach Lines’ manager of safety and training. Her motto she tries to instill in her trainees is “know the rules and follow them,” she says. “Safety is fun.”