Driver skills contest benefits kids with brain tumors

Updated Mar 17, 2017

Truckers have the opportunity to show off their safe driving skills this weekend and help children with a serious health issue in the process.

The annual Safety Drive for a Cure is Saturday, March 18 at the Holland service center near Atlanta, and benefits and raises awareness for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) Georgia Chapter. Holland’s Atlanta service center is located at 4700 Highway 42 (Moreland Avenue), Ellenwood, Georgia 30294.

Holland and YRC Freight are co-presenting sponsors for the contest, which is open to all drivers with a CDL from any trucking company across the country. Professional drivers can register for the event up to the 8 a.m. start time.

A competitor from the 2015 Safety Drive for a Cure eventA competitor from the 2015 Safety Drive for a Cure event

Last year’s competition attracted 87 drivers from 16 states and raised $17,841 for the PBTF. The Safety Drive for a Cure has helped raise over $30,000 for the organization in the past five years.

Team trophies and awards are given to champions of the following classes: Straight Truck, Three-Axle, Four-Axle, Five-Axle, Flatbed, Tanker, Sleeper, Twin Trailers, Management, Retired and Rookie of the Year. There also are awards for the driver who traveled the farthest to participate and the driver who raises the most money for PBTF.

“This event showcases how serious the trucking industry is about safety,” said Holland President Scott Ware. “It helps get more drivers involved in state truck driving competitions, gives veteran drivers a way to fine tune their safety skills, and aids the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Holland is honored to host the annual Safety Drive for a Cure.”

The event began in 1999 in North Carolina as an inner-company event between North Carolina and the border states as the “Battle of the Borders.” It was developed as a way for drivers to learn from the “best of the best” in the profession.

“It’s truly inspiring when so many truck drivers, including a few who travel great distances, participate in an event that pairs safe driving techniques with fundraising to help children, teens and young adults with brain tumors,” said PBTF Director of Philanthropy Mary Moore. “When you talk with participants and Holland volunteers at the event, you quickly learn that the trucking industry is made up of men and women with tremendous hearts. We couldn’t be more grateful.”

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Participating in  this year’s event are more than 20 members of the American Trucking Associations‘ America’s Road Team Captains. Among them are Jeff Payne, who drives for Reddaway, and Holland drivers Russell Simpson and Herschel Evans. As Holland’s first ATA Road Team Captain and two-time National Truck Driving Champion, Evans has been involved in the event in Atlanta for the last five years.

“Safety Drive for a Cure has a real ability to positively influence highway safety,” said Evans. “I am pleased to see so many drivers take time out of their busy lives to attend. Their participation as well as Holland, New Penn, Reddaway and YRC Freight’s support demonstrates our commitment to keeping our nation’s streets and highways safe.”