ATA's Safety Management Council is now accepting nominations for safety awards, including ATA National Driver of the Year, National Safety Director Award, State Trucking Association Recognition Program awards, Excellence in Safety Award and the ATA President's Trophy.


Nominations for these awards must be in by July 1, while the deadline for 2009 Excellence in Human Resource Management Award is June 26. The organization has extended the deadline for the auto transporter division of the ATA National Truck & Industrial Safety Contests until June 10.

Judges base their decision on the safety records of carriers, including vehicle accident rates or lost workday case rates. From the recipients of those contests, the ATA choose three companies to receive the President's Trophy, which honors each carrier's superior safety record, outstanding commitment to industry-wide safety and extensive promotion of safety among all highway users.

The ATA National Driver of the Year is given to one driver for his or her lifetime achievements in driving, as submitted by each state trucking association. The award is based on the person's driving record, assistance to others on the highway, community safety activities and heroic deeds.

The ATA Safety Director Award honors the safety executive whose professional qualifications, safety programs and achievements are considered excellent. Nominees must be employed by a motor carrier, hold a management position and be responsible for the full-time direction of the company's safety activities.

The ATA State Association Recognition Program awards show appreciation to state trucking associations, which have excelled in promoting safety. The Excellence in Safety Award winner is selected from among the Summa Cum Laude winners in the ATA State Association Recognition Program.

The ATA Excellence in Human Resources Award recognizes the motor carrier that proves to most successfully hire, retain and cultivate qualified, safety-oriented, and professional employees through its operations.

The awards will be given out at ATA Safety Management Council's Safety & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition on Sept. 16-18 in Baltimore. Winners also will be recognized at the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition on Oct. 4-7 in Las Vegas.

More information: smc.truckline.com.