3.2 million collision-free kilometers in 32 years of driving
Manitoba Truck "Hero" Named Canada's Truck Driver of the Year

March, 2001

Robert Ozouf, 55, a driver with Penner International Inc. of Steinbach, Manitoba, has been named 2001 Canadian Trucking Alliance/Volvo Trucks Canada National Driver of the Year. The award was presented on Saturday at the Annual Safety Luncheon at the Manitoba Trucking Association's 70th Annual Convention (held at the Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel, in the Wellington Ballroom).

The award has been presented annually for the past 26 years to a Canadian professional transport driver who holds a collision-free driving record, demonstrates a high-level of professionalism both on an off the road and demonstrates courtesy - and sometimes bravery - at roadside. This is the sixth time the national driver of the year has hailed from Manitoba since1984.

Robert is a 32-year veteran of the highway who transports freight within Manitoba, but has done long-distance driving in the past. He has driven an impressive 3 million plus collision-free kilometres during his career.

"Robert Ozouf's outstanding record of service to the industry, and his amazing deeds at roadside exemplify the commitment to road safety made by Canada's professional truck drivers," said David Bradley, CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. "The trucking industry is proud to count Robert as one of our own."

This "knight of the road" is described as a vibrant, personable man with a great sense of humour. He is married with three children, and is involved in community events such as local theatre, as both a performer and a producer of children's shows.

Robert demonstrates his concern for others with action. He has gone far above and beyond the call of duty on several occasions:

(1) In 1985, his well-honed driving skills prevented near-tragedy when Robert instinctively sensed that a car approaching him at an intersection (near Midland, Ontario) wasn't going to stop. Taking evasive action to lessen the impact of the inevitable collision, Robert managed to slow his truck down to 20 km/h, a move that the OPP credited with reducing the impact, and saving the lives of the two occupants of the car. Both the driver and the passenger of the car were seniors, and were both intoxicated at the time of the crash. They escaped with minor injuries.

(2) On two other occasions Robert saved lives as a result of his selfless actions. In 1990, while traveling on a highway outside of Steinbach late at night he spotted two house-trailers on fire. He brought his truck to a stop and banged on the trailers in an attempt to waken the residents. When this didn't work, he started blowing the horn of a vehicle parked in front of one of the trailers. The occupants exited the trailer just in time.

(3) In 1992, on another night in Midland, Ontario, Robert noticed a set of headlights glowing in the bush at the side of the road. Stopping his vehicle to investigate, Robert discovered that the headlights belonged to a van that had driven off the road and overturned. He managed to pull the injured driver from the van and stayed with him until help arrived on the scene.

"Bob never forgets the larger responsibility that the professional driver has toward fellow road users and citizens," said Jim Arkle, Director of Safety and Driver Services with Penner International Inc.

Robert has earned numerous company and industry awards during his career, including the Manitoba Driver of the Year award and also the Custom Truck Sales Inc./Canadian Kenworth Driver of the Month award (for Manitoba). He is also a keen competitor at truck driving championships, a place where transport drivers are put through a rigorous driving course to demonstrate their excellence driving skills. Robert has placed in the top three several times in these competitions and earned a place on the 1996 championship team.

"Bob represents the very best of the thousands of excellent drivers who make up the trucking industry, and he makes an admirable advocate for and ambassador of professional drivers in Canada," said Arkle.

The driver of the year is selected from a short-list of transport drivers who have been pre-selected as their province's "driver of the year". The selection committee, which is given the responsibility of choosing the national driver of the year, is made up of representatives from: Canada Safety Council, Transport Canada, Traffic Injury Research Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

The driver of the year receives a weekend for two at a Canadian destination of his choice, a trophy and a $1,000 cheque all courtesy of Volvo Trucks Canada Inc.

Media Contacts:

Rebecka Torn
rebecka.torn@ontruck.org
416-249-7401, Ext. 224

Stephen Anderson
stephen.anderson@ontruck.org
416-249-7401, Ext. 245