Know a truck driver of heroic feats? Goodyear is currently accepting nominations for their annual Highway Hero Award.
The trucking industry, law enforcement agencies and the general public are invited make their submissions by Nov. 29, 2013, by filling out the online nomination form.
Winner of the 31st Highway Hero Award will be revealed at the 2014 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., and receive a $5,000 prize, a custom Goodyear Highway Hero ring, among other prizes.
Established in 1983, the award honors all professional truck drivers who put themselves in harm’s way to help others.
“Truck drivers not only keep North America’s economy moving, they are often the first responders to life-threatening situations that develop on our continent’s highways," said Gary Medalis, director of marketing, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems. "We believe that these great men and women should be honored for their courage. Join us in helping determine Goodyear’s next Highway Hero.”
The most recent Goodyear Highway Hero Award winner, Jason Harte, a truck driver from Rogers, Ark., rescued a family of six, including four children, from a crushed minivan in July 2012.
Other past award winners include a truck driver who rescued a woman from a gunman, a truck driver who pulled an elderly man from a car moments before it was destroyed by an oncoming train, and a truck driver who dove into a pond to rescue a child trapped in a rapidly sinking car.
"For every story that we hear, there are probably hundreds of stories that we are not aware of, Medalis said. "If you know of a truck driving hero, we want to hear from you."
According to Goodyear, candidates considered for the Highway Hero award must meet the following criteria:
Must be a full-time truck driver
Must reside in the U.S. or Canada
The incident must have occurred in the U.S. or Canada
Nominee’s truck at the time of the incident must have had 12 wheels or more
Nominee must have been on the job – or on the way to or from work in his or her truck – at the time of the incident
Incident must have taken place between Nov. 16, 2012, and Nov. 16, 2013, to qualify for this year’s program.