Trucking Industry Brings High-Tech Tractor-Trailer to Steps of New York Capitol

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Mar 08, 2010, 11:30 ET

ALBANY, N.Y., March 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the New York State Motor Truck Association's Day at the Capitol, America's Road Team brought the American Trucking Associations' high-tech Image Trailer to the steps of the state Capitol. Lawmakers, members of the media and the public were encouraged to visit the trailer to see the interactive trucking displays and educational demonstrations.

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The America's Road Team, elite professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles, shared their message of highway safety with state officials, and also discussed why the industry is so important to New York state.

"I drive these roads everyday, delivering to businesses around the state," said Jim Gallagher, a professional truck driver for YRC from Williamsville, N.Y. "Having trucks on the road is necessary to stock our store shelves and deliver everything from medicine to produce. It is an honor to be here today at the state capitol and show lawmakers why the trucking industry is so important."

Featured at today's event were America's Road Team Captains Wayne Crowder (FedEx Freight), Jim Gallagher (YRC) and David May (Con-way Freight). These drivers are members of an elite team of million-mile, accident-free truck drivers who deliver the trucking industry's safety messages across the country.

New York State Motor Truck Association Executive Director Kendra Adams told reporters, "The trucking industry plays a significant part in New York's economy. By bringing this high-tech tractor-trailer to the state house, we can give some perspective on what these drivers do in terms of safety, and also demonstrate the importance of the industry in delivering everything we use and consume daily."

The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway. www.americasroadteam.com

The Image Trailer, which was donated to ATA by GE Trailer Fleet Services, travels the United States visiting State Capitols, high schools, community events and more. The 53-foot custom drop deck show trailer, fully wrapped in an American flag themed graphic, features a mobile conference room with seven projection screens, educational displays and room for interactive trucking demonstrations. The trailer is pulled by a Volvo VN780 tractor, donated by Volvo Trucks North America.

The New York State Motor Truck Association is committed to safety on our state's highways. With over 500 companies, NYSMA represents the unified trucking industry of New York. As an industry, trucking is a vital part of our state's economy. We carry millions of dollars worth of cargo every day, and service every community in the state. Many communities in New York are served exclusively by trucks, and couldn't exist without the trucking industry. www.nytrucks.org

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States. www.truckline.com

SOURCE American Trucking Associations