Maverick

As many of our readers are aware, we have worked over the last two years on a project aimed at educating the general public on the re- lationship between the truck- ing industry and the quality of life we enjoy as Americans. Our nation is dependent on the trucking industry's ability to safely deliver America's economy, but too many are unaware or indifferent to our nation's failure to invest in highway infrastructure. After years of relative inac- tion, we embarked on a mission to paint a picture of what things were going to look like in the near future, and what they could look like if we found the political will to invest in a better path forward. BE PREPARED TO STOP is a documentary about our love of and absolute dependence on the great American highway. We rely on those roads and the countless big rigs rolling down them to supply us with just about everything we use every day. But this round-the-clock lifeline has become so entrenched in our daily routines, we don't even notice it any more. Now that neglect is reaching a crisis point. Roads and bridges are fail- ing; safety concerns are mounting; skilled drivers are retiring; government is at a standstill. In order to raise awareness about the impact the impending breakdown will have on all our lives, BE PREPARED TO STOP aims to not only explain the issues but also to energize stakeholders to push for solutions that will improve the current situation and build towards a secure future. After years of fact-finding to speak to various industry groups, to motivate policy makers and legislators and through years of experience being a user of our Nation's highway; I continue to be amazed at how we have allowed this critical component upon which so much depends to fall into such a state of disrepair. The statistics are startling. The intent of our documentary is to inform the viewer with the reality of where we find ourselves as a Nation and then take visionary action From the desk of Steve Williams, Chairman & CEO

• Cover