The past ten months have given the Ol' Blue, USA safety programs exposure to over 14 million Americans.  Through a combination of school visits, the "Big Wheels, Little Kids" program, interstate travel, radio shows, truck shows, presentations at truck stops and rest areas and great support of the trucking media the Ol' Blue, USA safety message is still going strong.

 
     Ol' Blue, USA again wants to thank everyone who has supported the program especially the sponsors:  Wilshire Insurance, Michelin Tires, Shell Oil, Alcoa Wheel, Neway/Achorlok, Arvin/Gabriel Shocks, Webb Wheel Products, Mid-America and International Trucking Shows, without whom the Ol' Blue, USA safety programs would not be possible.

 
     As Ol' Blue, USA's way of saying thanks to everyone the 1998 special poster, featuring 'Ol' Blue'® hauling the Apollo 14 capsule, is offered free of charge by sending a self-addressed stamped (.55 postage in the U.S.A.) 9 X 12 envelope to Ol' Blue, USA "Poster '98, P.O. Box 2401, Van Nuys, CA
91404-2401.  Send no money!!  It's free!  You can view the poster by accessing Ol' Blue, USA's Web Page at www.olblueusa.org/Poster Another step forward . . . driving simulator.  The search committee
examining potential partners for this effort have decided to enlist the assistance of an Simulator Engineering Manger.  The advantage to this approach will give coordinated engineering oversight to the many diverse aspects of this program.  Final selection for this position will be made by
the end of summer 1998.

 
     The only sad note this month is that decreased funding in this year's budget will not allow Ol' Blue, USA "Safety Center" to be present at the Southern Trucking Expo.  Hopefully new sponsorship in the coming year will make up for this void and keep Ol' Blue, USA on the highway with its important safety message.

 
     Good News for 1999!  Ol' Blue, USA has space reserved at 4 major trade shows:  Mid-America Trucking Show (Louisville in March), New England Truck Show (Boston in May), International Trucking Show (Las Vegas in June) and the Great American Trucking Show (Dallas in Sept.)  Many other events are in the works.

 
     If you know of a company genuinely interested in large vehicle traffic safety and the support of Ol' Blue, USA (United Safety Alliance, Inc. a Non-Profit 501 (c) (3) Organization), talk to them and have them contact Ol' Blue, USA at P.O. Box 2401, Van Nuys, CA 91404-2401, Fax (775) 514-1930 or
E-Mail us at rj@olblueusa.org.  It takes funding to keep the safety wheels in motion!

News Editor Gary Bricken