Maine Professional Drivers Association

The image of the truck driver has taken a decline during the past several years. What has lead to this image change? Bad press, unfair business practices, overcrowded and poorly maintained highways are among some of the reasons. However, a few bad drivers had been getting all the publicity while the silent and safe majority had been overlooked. Something needed to be done. . .

In November of 1993, a group of drivers from the Maine Professional Drivers Association (MPDA) set out to organize a ROADTEAM. What is a ROADTEAM you ask yourself? It is a highway safety program led by a small group of truck drivers with excellent driving skills, exceptional driving records, and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway.

Professional truck drivers actively represent their industry on the nations highways. Yet, they are often an untapped resource in spreading the trucking industry's message of highway safety, essentially, and professionalism. That is where the MPDA ROADTEAM fits in. Every member of the ROADTEAM is an active full-time truck driver who has volunteered their time to be a goodwill ambassador for the coming year. This effort to help promote the safe, courteous and professional image of truck drivers is in addition to their every day regular duties of their companies.

The MPDA ROADTEAM is modeled after the American Trucking Association's Road Team. ROADTEAM members will travel to schools, civic functions and other trucking companies. Among other things, they will describe the good safety record achieved by the trucking industry in the course of the past decade. During that time, the national fatal accident rate for medium and heavy duty trucks has decreased 38 percent while the mileage traveled by these vehicles has increased 38 percent. Fatalities attributed to these vehicles has decreased 17 percent .

ROADTEAM members will also instruct groups on "Sharing the Road with a Truck" and "Sharing the Road with a Car." The programs were created to teach each group the problems the other group encounters. For instance, if a car driver can not see the driver in the mirrors of a commercial vehicle, then the commercial vehicle driver can not see the car. Both programs offer advice to help each group work together to make Maine's and America's highways as safe as possible.

If this program interests you or a group you belong to, whether it be a drivers education class, a trucking company, or a civic organization, we would be happy to be of service to you. There is no fee for the service of the ROADTEAM but scheduling time will have to be allowed. Feel free to contact ROADTEAM Captain Ron Hutchins at roadteam@mpda.org to set up an appointment.

Some of the Programs Offered by the MPDA ROADTEAM

	Sharing the Road With a Truck - (at drivers education classes)
	Sharing the Road With a Car - (at trucking company functions)
	Safety Seminars
	Blind Spot Demos
	Safety, Courtesy and Professionalism in the Trucking Industry

What People Are Saying About The MPDA ROADTEAM

"These men are dispensing knowledge and creating good will all on their own time and at their own expense to promote a better relationship with the ordinary motorist. I'm privileged to be associated with those who are trying to reduce the number of accidents and save lives on the highways of this country. These people are definitely professionals in the best sense of the word."

- Mary Ellen Peaslee. Owner/Instructor
P & M Driving School
Augusta Maine

"... brought a video, pamphlets and hand outs for the students as well as a tractor-trailer which each of the students has a chance to sit in the driver's seat and actually see how large the blind spots of a truck really are."

- Ronald Vance
Vance's Driving School
Saco. Maine

For More Information Contact: roadteam@mpda.org

And remember... Safety is no Accident !!

Thank you for helping to make our highways safe for all drivers !!

E-Mail: webmaster@mpda.org

NHPDA

FMCSA