Bridgestone sponsoring New Zealand ‘road transport hero’ award

Bridgestone New Zealand Ltd. has agreed to sponsor the ‘NZ Road Transport Hero’ award, a new honour to be given by the body representing the nation’s commercial freight industry, the Road Transport Forum. The award recognises the actions of truck drivers and other industry members who attempt to save others from harm during the course of their work, and Bridgestone will serve as sponsor for a three-year period.

“We are very pleased that a company with the standing of Bridgestone NZ has recognised the significance of this award and has offered to lend its support to it,” stated Road Transport Forum chief executive Ken Shirley. “Commercial truck drivers travel hundreds of millions of kilometres covering all of New Zealand and, inevitably they come across accidents or situations where someone’s life is at risk. Their actions have literally been the difference between life and death in many instances. The Road Transport Forum believes that it is time the bravery and cool thinking these drivers display in a crisis situation is recognised and rewarded. This is why the Forum has initiated the NZ Road Transport Hero Award and we are delighted that Bridgestone is equally enthusiastic about its merits.”

Bridgestone New Zealand’s group general manager, John Staples, added: ”Bridgestone is passionate about the trucking industry in New Zealand, so we’re naturally thrilled to be part of an initiative that really acknowledges those serving within the industry that have gone above and beyond their call of duty. We’ll certainly enjoy seeing them receive the accolades they deserve.”

The inaugural NZ Road Transport Hero award will be presented at the 2015 Road Transport Forum Annual Conference, which takes place in Christchurch on 27 to 29 August.