Goodyear Seeks Special Truck Drivers as Highway Heroes

AKRON, Ohio, July 30 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company continues to honor deserving truck drivers with its recognition program for those who perform good deeds along the highways of North America. The company announced today that a search is on for U.S. and Canadian drivers who come to the rescue of fellow motorists.

Nominations for the prestigious 27th annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero Awards will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2009.

To be considered for this year's award, the following criteria must be met:

  --  Nominee must be a full-time truck driver;
  --  Nominee must be a resident of the United States or Canada;
  --  Incident recognized must have occurred in the United States or Canada;
  --  Nominee must have been on the job or on the way to or from work, and
      in his or her rig at the time of the incident;

  --  Nominee's truck at the time of the incident must have 14 wheels or
      more;

Incident must have taken place between Nov. 16, 2008, and Nov. 15, 2009, to qualify.

Joseph Copeland, vice president for Goodyear commercial tire systems, said, "Too many times, we only hear about the negative news of our world. That extends to truck drivers, who play such an important role in transporting freight from place to place, and allowing us to enjoy the easy availability of consumer goods. We see today's truck drivers as the brave men and women who make our highways safer and help drive our economy. They truly are America's unsung heroes, and we want to honor them.

"The Highway Hero program is for those who selflessly risk their own lives to come to the aid of fellow motorists, or who make the world a better place for all. Anyone can nominate a truck driver for this high honor," Copeland said.

Nomination forms and program details may be obtained by calling the Goodyear Highway Hero Hotline at 330-796-8183. The nomination form also is available on the program's web site at http://www.goodyear.com/truck/news/hero.html.