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

(March 21, 2007) – Frits Vanderhulst, a truck driver with Highland Transport in Markham, 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. Vanderhulst competed with truck drivers from all across the province for a spot on the team and for the right to wear the coveted Road Knights coat of arms.

The 10 members of the team are all employed as full-time transport drivers or owner-operators and step out of the cab several days each month to meet with the public.

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.

Vanderhulst, who hauls loads throughout Ontario, has logged over three quarters of a million miles in his 35 years on the road. He has trained extensively in professional driving and is a qualified driver trainer, driver instructor/evaluator at Highland and is a qualified Air Brake instructor for Algonquin College.

This professional driver, who has been formally recognized for safe driving by Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario, possess numerous certificates recognizing extensive professional training in the field of driving.

“I have to credit my father for my love of driving and my professional attitude,” says Vanderhulst. “Before immigrating to Canada from Holland my father worked as a licensed corporate chauffer. He traveled with a business executive and drove him to business appointments all over Europe.”

While a career in the transportation industry can mean time away from family, Vanderhulst is in a fortunate situation. With the raising of three children now behind them, Vanderhulst and his wife, Claudia, who reside in Markham now, have the time to enjoy the open road together. The two empty-nesters travel together in a fully equipped Highland Transport 18-wheeler along with their rough collie, ECHO.

“We pride ourselves as a people company and are very proud of our two Road Knights -- Frits Vanderhulst and Sandy Milne -– who have been named to the 2007-2008 team,” says Bill Kalbhenn, General Manager, Risk Management of Highland Transport. “We support both of them and this Ontario Trucking Association initiative 100%”

“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.

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.

This is the seventh team that has been assembled since the program was formed in 1995. Over 75 drivers have participated in the program.

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.

About Ontario Trucking Association: OTA 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.

About Highland Transport: Highland Transport (a member of the Transforce Group of Companies) is celebrating our 40^th year in 2007 and we are proud of our successes since 1967. We have well over 500 professional drivers and owner-operators located at our five terminals across Canada, (Markham, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Moncton). We have dedicated our efforts to being a truckload and container carrier that is flexible, safe, and responsive and driven to provide superior service.

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