AKRON (Sept. 12, 2013) — Goodyear is accepting nominations for the 31st edition of its North America Highway Hero Award through Nov. 29.
The Highway Hero Award honors truck drivers who put themselves in harm's way to help others. Goodyear said the winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a custom Goodyear Highway Hero ring and other honors.
Goodyear will announce the winner during the 2014 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky.
"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 Highway Hero program, we've heard hundreds of stories about truck drivers' bravery. If you know a truck driver who has put his or her own safety at risk to help someone else, please let us know."
To nominate a truck driver for the 2014 Highway Hero Award, click on this link, fill out the online Highway Hero registration form, and hit the "submit" button, which will send your nomination directly to Goodyear.
Goodyear said 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, Goodyear said the list of eligible Highway Hero Award candidates will be narrowed down to four finalists. A panel of trucking industry judges will then select the 31st Goodyear North America Highway Hero, who will be revealed March 2014 during a special event at MATS. (Final approval of Highway Hero finalists and the Highway Hero Award winner is at Goodyear's sole discretion. Finalists must clear background checks to Goodyear's satisfaction.)
The Highway Hero Award was created in 1983 to help elevate the image of the trucking industry and recognize truck drivers for their courage and selflessness. (Click here to watch a video about the Highway Hero Award, including footage from last year's Highway Hero Award announcement event during MATS.)
Last year's winner, Jason Harte, rescued a family of six, including four children, from a crushed minivan. The previous year's Highway Hero Award recipient, Mike Schiotis, rescued a woman from a gun-wielding attacker.