Trucking is a difficult job, so it's always great to see drivers' efforts recognized. That can be through awards—or a new Volvo like one driver in this week's Five Good Things.
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Driver receives Volvo from Women in Trucking Association
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) gave a 2018 Volvo VNL670, which includes a Volvo VED13 engine and a double-bunk sleeper, to Angelique Temple, owner-operator of Virginia-based Tornado Transport. The truck was awarded March 31 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, during WIT’s Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event. It was donated by Kansas City-based Arrow Truck Sales.
Temple has more than 20 years of trucking experience. She began in 1999 as a hazmat driver and trainer for Oil Transport, and later for Atlantic Bulk Carrier. In 2021 she started her own company, Tornado Transport, through which she hauls dry foods and medical supplies.
Temple has been a member of the WIT Image Team since 2015, through which she regularly grants interviews, speaks at events, and does ride-alongs. She has been selected to be one of the voices of FMCSA’s Our Roads, Our Safety campaign.
“I’m still in shock that I won this truck,” says Temple. “Having this truck will expand my capabilities in my business and also will give me the ability to regularly talk with women about getting into the industry through events, my social media accounts, radio interviews, and conversations about new opportunities in trucking,” said Temple.
See also: Pre-Trip: Voie looks back on 16 years of WIT and toward the future
WIT received more than 30 applications for the 2023 Truck Giveaway last fall. Qualified applicants were at least 23 years old, holding a commercial driver’s license, and members of WIT. Applicants completed an application form and submitted a short essay on why it is important to attract more women into the trucking industry.
The truck package also will include features from these donors: Tires from Michelin; keyless entry unit from Irdeto; one-year supply of Howes Products; extended warranty from National Truck Protection; TND 750 GPS device from Rand McNally; six free truck washes from Blue Beacon; one-year subscription to Drivewyze preclear driver essentials kit from Imperial Supplies; and $1,000 gift cards from Exxon Mobile and Mobil Delvac.
Peterbilt teams with high school to train the next generation of diesel technicians
Toledo Public Schools in Toledo, Ohio, entered into a partnership with Ohio Peterbilt and Peterbilt Motors to provide Woodward High School diesel tech students access to Peterbilt’s technician training and curriculum. The curriculum is the same one used by Peterbilt technicians, which is updated frequently alongside industry changes.
Peterbilt will also offer mentorship, with students able to receive face-to-face testimonials and class visits from industry professionals. Students will have internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training available to them, as well as job shadowing and worksite tours.
Drivers win big in Arizona Truck Driving Championship
On April 1, 2023, the Arizona Trucking Association held its annual Truck Driving Championship at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Over 160 drivers participated in this year‘s event, many of whom have millions of miles of accident-free driving, according to the association.
Participants are tested in three different areas:
- A written exam that tests drivers’ knowledge of the industry, first aid, health, wellness, injury prevention, fire safety, general safety, and security
- A pre-trip inspection, which tests competitors on their knowledge of the equipment
- Skills and driving test, which consists of six objectives that test their ability to maneuver the vehicle in simulations of everyday driving conditions
See also: Gallery: MATS 2023 Truck Beauty Championship winners
Ina Daly of XPO Logistics was awarded “Grand Champion” of the annual safe driving competition. Eight other winners will join Daly to represent Arizona at the National Truck Driving Championship in Columbus, Ohio on Aug. 16-19, 2023. Team Arizona will compete against 430 other professional drivers vying for selection as the nation’s top professional truck drivers.
The full list of winners can be viewed on the Arizona Trucking Association's website.
Highway Angel saves crashed trucker
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Jason Escobar, from Palestine, Texas, a Highway Angel for stopping to help the driver of an overturned sand truck that was leaking gas and oil. Escobar drives out of North Little Rock, Arkansas, for Maverick Transportation (No. 84 on the FleetOwner 500 For-Hire carriers).
On March 3, around 10 a.m., Escobar was traveling on Highway 3132 in Shreveport, Louisiana, when he witnessed a sand truck overturn in front of him.
“He was top heavy; he ended up losing control of the truck and he flipped it over,” said Escobar, who has been a truck driver for almost seven years.
He stopped and ran to the other driver’s aid, climbing on the truck to assist the other driver out while the truck was leaking gas and oil. All lanes on the highway were blocked due to the sand in the road. Escobar went on to help fire and rescue personnel shovel sand to help another trucker that got stuck and hit a guardrail. His efforts resulted in unclogging the traffic jam that had appeared as a result of the accident.
“My mindset has always been that if, God forbid, something ever happens to me,” you said, “I would hope that the person behind me would be kind enough to reach out and lend a hand—we’re all just human beings.”
Shell Rotella auction swings big for St. Christopher Fund aid
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The bat is custom-made with the Shell Rotella and SCF logos branded on the barrel, and a premium display case with a wall mount is included with the bat. All proceeds from the auction were donated to SCF and aid them in their mission to help over-the-road/regional semi-truck drivers and their families when an illness or injury inhibits them from working.