AKRON, Ohio — Goodyear has announced that a search is on for US and Canadian truck drivers who have come to the rescue of fellow motorists.

“Too many times, we only hear about the negative news of our world,” said Joe Copeland, vice-president for Goodyear commercial tire systems. “That extends to truck drivers, who are truly misunderstood for the role they play in moving freight from the factories to our homes. We see today’s truck driver as the brave men and women who make our highways safer and drive our economy. They truly are America’s unsung heroes, and we want to honour them.”.

“The Highway Hero program is for those who selflessly risk life and limb to come to the aid of fellow motorists or who make the world a better place for all. Anyone can nominate a truck driver for this high honour,” he added.

Nominations for the 26th annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero Awards will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2008. To be considered for this year’s award, the following criteria must be met: nominee must be a full-time truck driver; nominee must be a resident of the US or Canada; incident recognized must have occurred in the US or Canada; nominee must have been on the job or on the way to or from work, and in his or her rig at the time of the incident; nominee’s truck at the time of the incident, must have 14 wheels or more; and incident must have taken place between Nov. 16, 2007, and Nov. 15, 2008, to qualify.

Nomination forms and program details is available from the Goodyear Highway Hero Hotline at 330-796-8183, or by reference to www.goodyear.com/truck/news.