TravelCenters of America to Name Locations After Truck Drivers

WESTLAKE, Ohio -- TravelCenters of America LLC, operator of TA and Petro Stopping Centers, started the Citizen Driver awards program to recognize professional drivers who evoke public respect for the truck driving profession.

TravelCenters expects to invite representatives from trucking industry organizations to serve as judges for submitted nominations. Nominees will be judged on a number of factors including demonstrated, exemplary citizenship in the driving community and otherwise; driving safety record; community involvement; leadership and healthy lifestyle.

"Our Citizen Driver award is a way to recognize the best of the best, not just for being good at their jobs, but for being good people that everyone, everywhere, both inside and outside of trucking, can admire and respect," said Tom O'Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters. "A Citizen Driver is intended to be someone the whole trucking industry is proud to be associated with, and whose stories should be heard by their peers and those outside the industry."

Any professional driver may be nominated for the Citizen Driver award by anyone, according to the company. The nomination form, rules and other information will be posted to the TA and Petro websites in April. Nominations will be accepted throughout 2013 and the winner or winners will be announced in March 2014.

Citizen Drivers will be honored at a special event during the 2014 Mid-American Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., and a TA or Petro travel center will be named after each driver, based on their favorite stops. Additional prizes will be awarded to nominees and finalists, noted the company.

"We are extremely proud to play a role in support of the companies and drivers that make up the great truck driving industry," stated O'Brien. "Our customers log millions of miles each year and move the freight that keeps the U.S. economy going. We do our best to provide them with unparalleled hospitality, customer service and tools they need to be successful in their business, because they deserve it."

Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America LLC operates travel centers in 41 states and Canada, with 244 locations near interstate highway exits and more than 500 full- and quick-service restaurants (QSRs).