National Press Release

BILLINGS, Mont., June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to teach new teen drivers how to safely travel on Montana highways, elite million-mile professional truck drivers today brought ATA's new high-tech image trailer to Senior High School in Billings, Mont.

An estimated 12.6 million new drivers will receive licenses this year nationally, indicating the necessity of teaching good driving skills early. America's Road team Captains, elite professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free driving miles, demonstrated techniques that teens, and all motorists, should utilize when driving near large trucks.

The American Trucking Associations and the Montana Motor Carriers Association joined the Captains to discuss highway safety with Montana students. In addition to today's event, the truck visited Skyview High School Monday and will continue the safety demonstrations at West High School Wednesday.

"Teenagers are more likely to be involved in an accident than any other demographic," said Ron VanBibber, a professional truck driver from Roadway. "I'm a parent, so I know what we're doing here today is very important. Getting the students into our truck and demonstrating the technology in this trailer - you can tell it's a much greater impact than a book or video."

Featured at today's event were America's Road Team Captains Rich Ewing (Yellow Transportation), Steve Fields (Yellow Transportation) and Ron VanBibber (Roadway). These drivers are members of an elite team of million-mile, accident-free truck drivers who deliver the trucking industry's safety messages across the country.

Montana Motor Carriers Association Executive Vice President Barry "Spook" Stang told reporters, "This is an important tool for the trucking industry. Bringing the high-tech tractor-trailer to Billings-area high schools gives the students a unique perspective on what these drivers do in terms of safety, and also may get them interested in a rewarding career in trucking."

The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway. www.americasroadteam.com

The Image Trailer, which was donated to ATA by GE Trailer Fleet Services, travels the United States visiting State Capitols, high schools, community events and more. The 53-foot custom drop deck show trailer, fully wrapped in an American flag themed graphic, features a mobile conference room with seven projection screens, educational displays and room for interactive trucking demonstrations. The trailer is pulled by a Volvo VN780 tractor, donated by Volvo Trucks North America.

The Montana Motor Carriers Association is committed to safety on our state's highways. With over 500 companies, MMCA represents the unified trucking industry of Montana. As an industry, trucking is a vital part of our state's economy. We carry millions of dollars worth of cargo every day, and service every community in the state. Many communities in Montana are served exclusively by trucks, and couldn't exist without the trucking industry. www.mttrucking.org

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States. www.truckline.com

SOURCE American Trucking Associations