The NATSO Foundation truckstop trade association has launched an online course designed to promote highway safety by teaching truckstop owners, operators, and employees how to help drivers in physical, emotional, or financial distress.

Titled “How Truckstops Help Drivers in Distress,” the 30-minute course is the third online learning tool in a suite of four courses designed to help teach members of the truckstop and travel plaza industry how to respond to requests for help from people in need.

"Anything that distracts a driver from the primary task of driving significantly increases the chance of a driver being involved in a crash," said Jenny Love Meyer, NATSO Foundation chairman. "Truckstop and travel plaza employees have the ability to help drivers manage or eliminate driving distractions before they are on the Interstate.”

The course is available on the NATSO Foundation’s learning management system free of charge and is available to any member of the truckstop and travel plaza industry.

The NATSO Foundation developed its online learning initiative in an effort to strengthen the nation's truckstop and travel plaza industry through comprehensive educational and safety training materials.

The first two modules, titled "The Role of Truckstops in Combating Human Trafficking" and "How Truckstops Help the Homeless," launched earlier this year. A fourth course planned for the "How Truckstops Help People" series will focus on how to help drivers during a natural disaster.

“Whether it's placing a call to emergency services, helping a driver who is unable to continue on as the operator of a vehicle, or making drivers aware of resources, truckstops and travel plazas have an important role to play,” said Meyer.

The course can be accessed at www.natso.com/onlinelearning.