American Trucking Associations has officially opened the nominating process for professional truck drivers to serve on the 2017-2018 America’s Road Team.

The American’s Road Team is a group of drivers who represent the trucking industry as ambassadors. Every two years, a new group of drivers are chosen as the America’s Road Team captains, traveling the country with the mission of educating the public on highway safety, trucking’s importance as well as pride and professionalism within the industry.

Former captains from previous classes remain active, serving as mentors and attending events alongside the newest class.

"Being selected as part of America's Road Team means joining a group that represents the trucking industry as its greatest ambassadors," said Bill Graves, ATA president and CEO. "These elite professional drivers lend a voice to trucking professionals from all segments of the industry and help make trucking a safer, more productive and more respected industry."

The drivers, most of who have millions of accident-free miles, take a few days away from their companies each month to meet with the public, media, students, transportation officials and public policy makers to perform truck safety demonstrations and explain the role that trucking plays in the economy.

"America's Road Team captains provide a remarkable service as industry ambassadors to help further our important issues of essentiality, safety and sustainability," said Göran Nyberg, president, Volvo Trucks North American sales and marketing, which sponsors the Road Team.

Nominations are due Aug. 22. Finalists will be announced Oct. 22, with the final selection taking place in January 2017. For more information, click here.