The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company extended the nomination deadline for its annual Highway Hero award. The new deadline is 11:59 pm ET on February 28, replacing the previous deadline of December 31, 2024.
Since 1983, Goodyear has recognized commercial truck drivers who go above and beyond their regular duties to keep highways safe. Goodyear is eager to hear from drivers across the commercial industry, including long-haul truckers, dump truck drivers, regional delivery and vocational vehicle operators, and more.
"Commercial truck drivers are not only at the center of the supply chain industry, but they also act as vigilant guardians of the roads, ready to assist others in need," said Joe Burke, VP of Goodyear North America commercial business. "For over four decades, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award program has celebrated remarkable contributions of professional truck drivers who have acted selflessly for the good of others on the road."
See also: What makes a truck driver a hero?
Goodyear will determine an approved list of nominees from which a panel of judges will select one winner and up to two finalists. Goodyear will then announce the award winner, honoring the driver with cash prizes and a ride on the Goodyear Blimp. Up to two runners-up will also receive a cash prize.
Eligible nominees for this year's Highway Hero Award must be a full-time commercial driver with a valid CDL, reside in the U.S. or Canada, and be actively operating a commercial, infrastructure, vocational vehicle, or non-lifesaving emergency vehicle with rim size greater than 19 inches. The commercial driver must be on the job at the time of the heroic incident, and the act must have occurred between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.
2023 Highway Hero story
In a previous article, FleetOwner interviewed one of the 2023 Highway Hero award winners, Timothy VanNostrand.
In June 2023, the owner-operator was in the right place at the right time to help protect a state trooper and the public from a shooter in New York. VanNostrand told FleetOwner he witnessed a vehicle try to outrun a state trooper. When the vehicle eventually pulled over, the driver began to shoot out the state trooper, who had exited his vehicle.
“I did a double take because I couldn't really believe what I was seeing,” VanNostrand said. “A pickup truck had stopped right in my lane. I couldn't stop in time; I hit the pickup, and at almost the same time, the vehicle that was shooting at the state trooper attempted to take off. When he did, I just turned my truck right into him and pinned him against the guardrails.”
For his own safety, VanNostrand exited his semi-truck and stood beside it. Shots continued to be fired for the next 12 minutes until police backup arrived; the state trooper was injured but continued to stand his ground. Both passengers attempted to flee, with one being caught by police and the other taking their own life.
“Thankfully, the shooters didn't get away,” VanNostrand said. “If I didn't block them in, potentially, they could have got away. And if they're not afraid to shoot a trooper, they could have took anybody out to get away in their escape.”
