[ Ol'Blue, USA NEWS ARCHIVES ]

  Ol' Blue, USA NEWS for December, 2006
Internet Press Release from Ol’ Blue, USA

Ol’ Blue, USA™ Remains Committed To Commercial Vehicle Safety December 2006, Van Nuys, CA — As the recent series of newspaper articles that have appeared nationwide point out, truck driving is one of the country’s most dangerous jobs. What isn’t as well publicized is the fact that the trucking industry has been continually working to promote highway safety.  And one organization that has been a leader in this area is Ol’ Blue, USA . Founded in 1986, Ol’ Blue, USA is a non-profit organization dedicated to highway safety education, and to improving relations between the motoring public, law enforcement and commercial drivers.  “The better we can educate the drivers about highway safety, the safer our roads become,” says the organization’s founder RJ Taylor. “Everyone benefits from this.” Ol’ Blue, USA works toward its goals by conducting free programs at truck industry events, truck stops, community events and public schools and on radio programs around the country. These programs take place during Ol’ Blue, USA ’s annual Safety Tour with its antique 1951 tractor and 53-foot “rolling billboard” trailer that showcases sponsor logos and serves as the stage for the Ol’ Blue team’s simulated truck safety inspections and other safety demonstrations.  Conducted with the help of state law enforcement officers, these inspections and demonstrations help educate truck drivers on important procedures. “The Safety Tour gives visitors the opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns on safety and legal issues concerning commercial motor vehicles to law enforcement officials,” Taylor explains. Ol’ Blue, USA recently conducted an HOS Survey.  The results will be published January 2, 2007 on the Ol’ Blue, USA Survey page at http://www.OlBlueUSA.org/survey/ . Another unique program is Ol’ Blue, USA ’s “Ask The Law”™ print column and radio show.  An ongoing educational effort between Ol’ Blue, USA and commercial law enforcement agencies, the show’s specific purpose is to have trucker’s call or E-mail Ask The Law and pose questions to law enforcement officials relating to safety and legal issues concerning commercial vehicles. For more information on Ol’ Blue, USA and its many programs, visit www.olblueusa.org or send an E-mail to info@olblueusa.org. More information about the newspaper articles can be found on the links below: 12/03/06 – Front Page of The New York Times By STEPHEN LABATON : “As Trucking Rules Are Eased, a Debate on Safety Intensifies” http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50F15FC345A0C708CDDAB0994DE404482&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fL%2fLabaton%2c%20Stephen 12/11/06 – FleetOwner online: “FMCSA rebukes New York Times article” http://fleetowner.com/news/topstory/fmcsa_rebukes_times/ 12/10/06 – Chicago Tribune: “Bone-weary haulers raise risks on road” http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-061210truckers-story,1,3396591.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true 12/10/06 – Dallas Morning News by Gregg Jones “Truckers often carry rap sheets”: “Investigations finds felonies, substance abuse before accidents”http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/121006dnmetroadhazards.3319667.html 12/11/06 – Dallas Morning News by Jennifer LaFleur: “Poodle-toting trucker says diesel runs in her veins”http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spe/2006/roadhazards/stories/121106dntswtruckpistol.3426397.html 12/11/06 – Dallas Morning News by Jennifer LaFleur: “Truckers' long hours, high stress take toll”http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121106dntswtrucks2death.3422a37.html 12/12/06 – Dallas Morning News Editorials: “The Price of Safety:  Bill is overdue to get serious about trucks” http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-trucking_12edi.ART.State.Edition1.740e.html 12/12/06 – Dallas Morning News: “Drivers bypass weigh stations; lobbyists help keep it legal” http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121206dnproTrucks3Oversight.3428b48.html 12/12/06 – Dallas Morning News by Steve McGonigle: “Many truckers skirting the rules” http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/transportation/stories/121206dnproTrucks3Hazard.342626e.html 12/12/06 – Houston Chronicle: “Criminal records of errant truckers” http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4395528.html 12/17/06 – Chicago Tribune: “A hauling overhaul” http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0612170281dec17,0,5768019.story?coll=chi-business-hed   #        #        # - end -