Share the Road, America's Road Team Programs Saluted

America's Road Team members by John Sommers II for Transport Topics

PHILADELPHIA — Incoming Chairman Pat Thomas proudly introduced American Trucking Associations’ top ambassadors at the annual Management Conference & Exhibition on Oct. 19 here.

America’s Road Team and Share the Road do “a tremendous job of bringing positive attention to our industry and making a difference on our highways,” Thomas said. “Safety is their No. 1 priority. Share the Road is making a difference in saving lives and is recognized around the country as the premier safety program.”

The programs spread the word about how to stay safe on America’s roads. Stephen Roy, president of North American sales and marketing for Mack Trucks Inc., noted that accidents involving trucks and passenger vehicles decreased 18% from 2003 to 2013 despite an increase in miles driven.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Share the Road has had a significant impact,” Roy said of the program, which Mack is sponsoring for a 14th year.



Share the Road reaches millions of drivers each year to convey the message of how to safely and responsibly drive around large trucks. Michelin also announced the renewal of its sponsorship of the program, which is supported by Hyundai, Omnitracs, PrePass, SmartDrive, Spireon and TA/Petro.

“Through the work of the Share the Road highway safety program, America’s Road Team and the Interstate One [the latter’s specially equipped] tractor-trailer, millions of Americans are exposed to a message of truck safety, essentiality and professionalism each year,” ATA President Bill Graves said. “These programs work diligently to carry out important missions that make America’s roads a safer place for all of us, and none of this could be done without the generous support of our sponsors and supporters.”

Nineteen members of America’s Road Team — a group of professional drivers that travels the nation delivering messages to millions of people, including students who are learning to drive, about the importance of safety and the importance of the trucking industry — were saluted at MCE. The 19 Road Team captains have driven more than 30 million accident-free miles during their collective 454 years in the industry.

America’s Road Team for 2015-16: 

Henry Bruster, UPS Freight, Woodville, Mississippi

Ricardo Buitrago, Con-way Freight, Kissimmee, Florida

Charles Demchock II, Wal-Mart Transportation, Cocoa, Florida

Eric Flick, FedEx Freight, Dayton, Nevada

David Green, Werner Enterprises, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Neil Kirk, Penske Logistics, Middletown, New York

Randall Luschen, Weinrich Truck Line Inc., Merrill, Iowa

John McKown, UPS Freight, East Berlin, Pennsylvania

Chad Miller, ABF Freight System Inc., Crown Point, Indiana

Bill Minor, Con-way Freight, West Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Eric Ramsdell, Wal-Mart Transportation, Wittmann, Arizona

Paul Savill, UPS Freight, Hamilton, Ohio

Russell Simpson, Holland Inc., South Vienna, Ohio

Danny Smith, Big G Express, Shelbyville, Tennessee

Tim Vogt, Con-way Freight, Loganville, Georgia

Kirk Weis, ABF Freight System Inc., Rio Rancho, New Mexico

William West, ABF Freight System Inc., Roopville, Georgia

Derrick Whittle, Cargo Transporters, Fieldale, Virginia

Scott Woodrome, FedEx Freight, Middletown, Ohio

Interstate One, which includes a simulator, is pulled by a Volvo VNL 780. Volvo is the solo sponsor of America’s Road Team, which is supported by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Omnitracs, TA/Petro and U.S. Legal Services.