Goodyear Seeks Highway Hero Nominations

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is asking for entries for the 2023 Highway Hero Award. Since 1983 Goodyear has been recognizing commercial truck drivers who go above and beyond their regular duties to keep our highways safe.

"Commercial truck drivers fulfill an important, vital job for our country and communities. Nearly every aspect of our daily lives is made possible thanks to a commercial truck driver," said Dave Beasley, vice president, North America Commercial.

This is Goodyear’s 125^th anniversary and in commemoration, the company will select two winners from a wider pool of commercial drivers than ever before. Now through Dec. 31, Goodyear is inviting nominations for CDL truckers who went above and beyond the call of duty to help others on the road, regardless of whether in a long-haul truck, a dump truck, or certain regional delivery and vocational vehicles.

Selecting the Winners

Goodyear will determine an approved list of nominees from which a panel of judges will select two winners and up to four finalists.

The award winners will be announced in early 2024 and they will receive cash prizes, a Goodyear prize package including travel and hotel expenses for a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, for announcement of the winners at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in March 2024. Up to four runners-up will also receive a cash prize and Goodyear prize packages.

Nomination Criteria

Eligible nominees for this year's Highway Hero Award must be a full-time commercial driver with a valid CDL, reside in the U.S. or Canada, and be actively operating a commercial, infrastructure, vocational vehicle, or non-lifesaving emergency vehicle with rim size greater than 19 inches.

Moreover, the commercial trucker must be on the job at the time of the heroic incident and the act must have occurred between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023.

To enter or nominate a CDL driver who went above and beyond in the line of duty, visit Goodyear’s nomination page.

Hero in Action

Earlier this year, Goodyear recognized Andrew Waits, a full-time truck driver from Tacoma, Washington, for his swift thinking and courage to act while a life was on the line.

As a result of an accident, a motorcyclist was thrown from his vehicle on a busy, four-lane highway. Waits, a J.B. Hunt Transport driver, quickly positioned his tractor-trailer to shield the unconscious motorcyclist from oncoming traffic and attended to the injured man using skills he learned as a volunteer firefighter until first responders could arrive.

"You never know what you're going to see on any given day," said Waits. "This accident happened right in front of me, and I had to think quick. I utilized my knowledge and instincts to help those in need at a very crucial time."