Challenger Truck Driver Named to Prestigious 2007-2008 OTA Road Knights Team

(March 12, 2007) – Mike Hahn of Cambridge, a truck driver with Challenger Motor Freight, Cambridge, Ont., has been named a member of the 2007-2008 Ontario Trucking Association Road Knights Team – a select group of professional drivers who are dedicated to raising awareness of how all road users can safely share the road. Hahn competed with truck drivers from all across the province for a coveted spot on the team.

The 10 members of the group are professional truck drivers, who competed against applicants from across the province for the right to wear the coveted Road Knights coat of arms. Team members are all employed as full-time transport drivers and step out of the cab several days each month to meet with community groups.

During their two-year terms, Road Knights meet with community groups, business associations, driving schools, seniors organizations and service clubs to help improve highway safety and increase awareness of the trucking industry’s contribution to the provincial economy. The free community outreach service is offered by the Ontario Trucking Association.

“The Road Knights are first-class drivers who represent their peers – Ontario transport drivers who are dedicated to safety and professionalism in the industry,” says David Bradley, president of the Ontario Trucking Association. “They are highly qualified to spread the message of road safety because they travel our roadways everyday, and have faced every type of traffic and weather condition imaginable.”

According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, tractor-trailers are involved in less than three per cent of all road collisions, making professional truck drivers the safest users of the province’s roads.

Hahn is an owner-operator who drives long-haul across Canada and the United States, and is dedicated to a regular route that takes him from St. Thomas, Ontario to Wilmington, Delaware each week.

Hahn began his career working as a company driver and made the switch to owner-operator when his entrepreneurial spirit compelled him to join the ranks of owner-operators -- truck drivers who own their own trucking equipment and are self-employed business operators who contract with trucking fleets to move freight.

This enthusiastic owner-operator has an additional role at Challenger, he also serves as an evaluator and trainer of newly hired drivers. In working with new personnel Hahn says he places great emphasis on the importance of courtesy on the road and professional behavior and appearance on the job.

Hahn is looking forward to sharing his enthusiasm for the trucking industry with the community. “It’s a great place to build a career,” says Hahn. “There is a place for everyone in the trucking industry – even those of us who dream of being self-employed.”

The Ontario Trucking Association’s Road Knights team is selected by a panel of judges including representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, 680News radio, the Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario, Today’s Trucking magazine (an industry journal), a truck driver from the previous Road Knights team, and OTA staff.

More than 70 drivers applied to participate in the program, while a short list of candidates prepared a speech and essay for the panel of judges. Each candidate on the short list was also subjected to a personal interview.

Prospective Road Knights must possess first-class driving records. To participate in the program, candidates must also be nominated by an Ontario Trucking Association member company in good standing.

In addition to educating community organizations about road safety, Road Knights take their trucks to local schools to introduce young people to career opportunities in the trucking industry. Recognized as leaders within their industry, the Road Knights also meet with students at truck driving schools to emphasize the importance of safety, professionalism and courtesy.

The Road Knights program earned a National Transportation Week Award of Excellence in 1996. In 1995 the program earned the coveted ‘Trailmobile Service to Industry’ award which is presented for vision, leadership and making an outstanding contribution to the truck transportation industry

Free presentations by a member of the team include an oral presentation, a video and pamphlets promoting road safety. Trucks can also be provided for road safety demonstrations.

For more information about the Road Knights, or to arrange for a presentation, contact the OTA’s communications department at 416-249-7401, ext. 224 or www.ontruck.org.

Ontario Trucking Association is a business association representing motor carriers operating into, out of and within Ontario. The trucking industry is one of Ontario’s largest employers. Trucks haul 90% of all consumer products and foodstuffs produced and consumed in the province and 80% of Ontario’s trade with the United States. Founded in 1926, the association’s membership comprises trucking companies of all sizes, shipping all types of commodities, from all regions of North America. OTA is a member of the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

Challenger Motor Freight has been built on a tradition of continually challenging ourselves to achieve new standards of quality and performance in our industry. Throughout our 30 year history, we have worked in partnership with our customers, suppliers and employees to set new standards of excellence for our industry.

This commitment has put us at the forefront of important advancements in technology and safety, and Challenger has been recognized on numerous occasions for our efforts in the areas of safety, efficiency and business excellence. Since its inception in 1975, significant changes in the transportation industry have reshaped the parameters of our business. Technological advancements continue to take Challenger in exciting new directions by allowing us to provide enhanced services to meet our customers’ diversified transportation needs. Today, Challenger offers a full range of transportation, logistics and integrated services to Canadian, U.S., and Mexican markets. www.challenger.com

© 1995 - 2009, Ontario Trucking Association
555 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario
M9W 1H8
Tel: (416) 249-7401 | Fax: (416) 245-6152
Email: info@ontruck.org