TORONTO, (Sept. 16, 2004) — The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has launched its annual search for the 2005-2006 Road Knights Team.

Road Knights are professional transport drivers with first class driving records who make presentations to community groups about sharing the road with a truck. Their mission is act as “industry ambassadors” by encouraging all road users to be partners in safety.

During their two-year term of service, the Road Knights — all employed as full-time transport drivers — step out of the cab one or two days each month to meet with the media and community groups such as business and social clubs, driving schools, seniors groups, road safety organizations and community associations. They also visit community schools with their trucks to introduce young people to the trucking industry.

OTA provides media relations and public speaking training, and arranges speaking opportunities for drivers.

“The transport drivers who make up the team are first-class drivers who represent their peers — Ontario transport drivers who are dedicated to safety and professionalism in the industry,” said David Bradley, President of Ontario Trucking Association in a press release. “They are highly qualified to spread the message of road safety because they travel our roadways everyday and have faced every type of traffic and weather condition imaginable.”

The team is selected by a panel of industry, government, police, and media representatives every two years. Today’s Trucking contributing editor and highwaySTAR magazine editor Jim park was a judge last year.

Nominees must be Ontario-based, and currently employed as full-time truck drivers, either as company drivers or owner-operators, with an OTA member company in good standing. An owner-operator who is a member of OTA may act as both nominating company and candidate. Deadline is December 15, 2004.

Call 416/249-7401 Ext. 224/245. Or, download a form at www.ontruck.org