Are You A Hero or Do You Know One?
Have you performed an act of heroism while on the road? Do you know another professional truck driver who has?
The oldest award of its kind, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award program honors truck drivers who put themselves in harm's way to help others. Created in 1983, the program was designed to help elevate the image of the trucking industry and recognize truck drivers for their courage and selflessness.
The winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a custom Goodyear Highway Hero ring and other honors.
. For consideration, candidates 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.
After the Highway Hero nomination period ends, the list of eligible Highway Hero Award candidates will be narrowed down to four finalists.
Last year's Goodyear Highway Hero Award winner, Jason Harte, rescued a family of six, including four children, from a crushed minivan. The previous year's Goodyear Highway Hero Award recipient, Mike Schiotis, rescued a woman from a gun-wielding attacker.
Other past winners include a driver who pulled an elderly man from a car moments before it was destroyed by on oncoming train, a driver who rescued two girls who were trapped in a burning vehicle, and a driver who dove into a pond to save a child who was stuck in a rapidly sinking car.
"Truck drivers are often first responders to on-highway incidents, springing into action without regard for their own well-being and putting their lives on the line to save others," said Phillip Kane, vice president, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems.
"Through the Goodyear Highway Hero program, we've heard hundreds of stories about truck drivers' bravery. If you know of a truck driver who has put his or her own safety at risk to help someone else, please let us know."
A panel of trucking industry judges will then select the 31st North America Goodyear Highway Hero, who will be revealed March 2014 during a special event at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY.
To nominate a driver go to http://www.goodyeartrucktires.
Nominations can also be mailed to the Goodyear Highway Hero Award Headquarters; Dept. 798A; 200 Innovation Way; Akron, OH 44316.