TORONTO, (Feb. 3, 2005) — Nine new highway ambassadors are set to hit the road and give some shine to the image of the Canadian trucking industry.

The Ontario truck drivers, all with first-class driving records, have been appointed by the Ontario Trucking Association to the 2005-2006 OTA Road Knights Team.

They are: Joseph (Rob) Bedard, TST Overland Express; Martin Dej, Kriska Holdings; Mathieu (Matt) Graveline, McArthur Express; Alvin Kane, Kriska Holdings; Angus MacCormac, Bison Transport; Robert (Bob) Morley, TKO Transportation; Trevor Weir, Thomson Terminals; Edward (Ted) Wheeler, TST Overland Express; and the owner-op of the bunch, John McDowell of Trimac Transportation Services.

This is the 6th team the OTA has assembled since the program was launched in 1995. To date, 65 professional truck drivers have participated in the program.

Over the next two years, the Road Knights will spread a positive message about the trucking industry, present important road sharing tips to the motoring public and represent the trucking industry at community events, business club meetings, driver education classes, public schools, truck driving schools and to the media.

This team of Road Knights was selected by a panel of judges from a variety of organizations including the OTA, the Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Provincial Police, 680 News Radio, and members of past Road Knights teams.

Each of the 15 candidates who were short listed for the program were required to: deliver a well organized and clearly presented speech before the panel of judges; undergo a screening of their safety records; submit a detailed application outlining why they want to become a team member and then participate in a rigorous interview by the seven member selection panel.

“The truck drivers selected are a cross section of the top-notch individuals on the road today,” said OTA President David Bradley. “We look forward to their joining the Road Knights who have been raising community awareness of safe road sharing and the essential service the trucking industry provides.”