Hunt is on for UK’s top truck driver
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has announced the launch of a new 44-tonne category in its Truck Driver of the Year 2016 competition, in association with Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
The competition, which is open to FTA members only, is said to build on the success of the association’s existing Van Excellence Driver of the Year event – which prompted FTA to run three separate contests this year in the 18-tonne, 44-tonne and van categories.
All three events will be held at Mercedes-Benz’s new and used truck preparation facility at Wentworth Park, Barnsley, between 12-14 July, and will test drivers on their fuel economy, driving behaviour, manoeuvring, risk awareness, legislative knowledge and ability to identify pre-use vehicle defects.
Mike Belk, managing director for trucks at Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd, said: “Truck drivers deliver 85 per cent of everything we touch and recognising their skills helps us highlight how important they are.
“Mercedes-Benz Trucks places a huge focus on both their role and their wellbeing, which is clearly demonstrated in the high levels of comfort and safety we build into the vehicles they drive. Good luck to all those entering.”
