Trucker Buddy International is launching a new program called Trucking Mentors, directed at teaching high school students to drive safely around big rig trucks.

Trucking Mentors matches professional drivers with a high school located either locally or along the route of the driver. The driver then visits the high school once or twice a year to talk about safe highway driving and help build a positive image of the trucking industry among teenage drivers.

Many local and short-run regional drivers can't participate in Trucker Buddy, a program that helps mentor elementary school students through a pen-pal relationship with a professional driver, but they can help their communities through the Trucking Mentors program.

The current 2,600 Trucker Buddies will have the opportunity to be both a Trucker Buddy to elementary students and a Trucking Mentor to high school students. Other drivers will be recruited to help as well. There will be no charge to be a Trucking Mentor and background checks will be done on all mentors. Drivers can contact their local school or can be matched with one of the high schools that sign up.

"I believe that as an industry we have a responsibility to help our communities understand how to be safe around a truck and continue to improve our image," says Randy Schwartzenburg, executive director, Trucker Buddy International. "That is especially important for teens beginning to take the responsibility of driving a car. Trucking Mentors will not only save lives but will increase respect between all the parties.

"Having both Trucker Buddies and Trucking Mentors teaching students about our industry not only helps the students drive more safely but helps everyone understand our industry's impact on our nation," Schwartzenburg says. "Saving lives, improving our image and building respect are why launching Trucking Mentors is so important."

For more information on the Trucker Buddy and Trucking Mentors programs, click here.