Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/128549
Message from the President It Takes So Little Time To Make a Difference Each day, all day, a professional driver makes allowances for those around them, and the things we see those around us do. We have all seen the makeup artist dabbing mascara at 60 mph, the portable babysitter with small ones bouncing around in the back seat, and big business being conducted at high speed from the mobile phone booth. We share our workplace, the road, with them and watch in alarm as they make their exit from the far lane at the last second, tailgate our fellow drivers, and pull out in front of laden trucks as if they didn't exist. Perhaps the scariest of all is the "invincible teen", so full of life and possibilities for the future. For years, we could do no more than hit our brakes, move away and shake our heads but as the roads become more crowded, there is less and less room to move away. Formal driver education once taught in high schools has been discontinued in many areas due to tight budgets, leaving many students to be taught by mom and dad. Certainly there have been drivers out there trying to teach, but those few just cannot reach enough new drivers to make the overall impact needed. With that in mind, Trucker Buddy International launched our Trucking Mentors Program. Quite simply, we want to increase the number of professional drivers available to teach new drivers how to share the road with trucks safely. All working truck drivers, local and long-haul, now have the opportunity to make a difference and impact the lives of these youth by taking a few hours per year to discuss proper merging, safe following distances, and leaving enough room in front of us open as well. We can save their lives, and our careers. We are discovering the best way to get into a school is the local approach. After explaining the goal to local high school administrators, a driver then comes to us. After a thorough background check to protect the all parties, you are given access to the materials we are collecting and schedule your visit directly with the school. Taking a truck with you is not required, but it would be most helpful in allowing the students to actually sit in the driver's seat and realize for themselves the blind spots they need to avoid. You will be also overcoming the stereotype that all drivers get from the media and movies. I encourage all professionals who are tired of seeing the untrained driver to take a stand and join us. No one better than you knows the way to share safe driving techniques. The young drivers learn how to share the pavement with us will be grateful. Step up, make a difference, and perhaps save a life. It takes so little time to make a difference. K.C. Brau President www.truckerbuddy.org Trucker Buddy 1