The award, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company, highlights individuals, companies, and organizations that elevate the trucking industry’s image through safety, professionalism, and community involvement.

Antoine Sadler: A Career of Commitment and Miles

Antoine Sadler is a second-generation truck driver with a career spanning 29 years and more than 2.7 million safe driving miles. His dedication goes beyond the cab: Sadler participates in North Carolina’s Road Team, Walmart’s Road Team, and America’s Road Team.

He has competed in numerous truck driving championships, demonstrating both skill and pride in his craft. Outside of driving, Sadler has been active in the Trucking Association of Tennessee, serving on the board since 2021, helping launch the Man to Man campaign, and maintaining the TAT Freedom Drivers Project trailer. His volunteer work includes supporting Special Olympics, National Night Out, and Samaritan’s Feet.

Trucking Association of New York: Building the Next Generation of Drivers

The Trucking Association of New York (TANY) has been making a real difference through its Community Supervision initiative, helping more than 55 people earn their commercial driver’s licenses since 2023. By connecting individuals with stable, well-paying careers, TANY strengthens both the lives of participants and the trucking workforce with trained, motivated drivers.

Since 2018, TANY has also supported the Transportation Club at the Charter School for Applied Technologies High School in Buffalo. What started as a small program has grown into a thriving hub where students gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to transportation careers.

“Each year, the Mike Russell Award highlights the creativity and dedication of those who work tirelessly to share our industry’s story,” said Nikki Thomas, VP of Industry Affairs for ATA. “This year’s recipients have gone above and beyond in showcasing the essential role trucking plays in our daily lives and the pride that drives our workforce.”

Why This Matters for Drivers

For truckers on the road, awards like this reinforce the value of professionalism, safe driving, and community engagement. From mentoring the next generation to volunteering locally, both Sadler and TANY exemplify how truck drivers can make a lasting impact beyond the cab.

Image Source: ATA

Source: Truckers News

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A Major Shift for Truck Parking in NYC

Under the newly passed legislation, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) will implement overnight parking options in industrial business areas. For years, truck drivers have struggled with a lack of suitable parking spots in New York City, forcing them to park in areas ill-equipped for heavy-duty vehicles. This issue has posed challenges for operators and raised safety concerns for nearby neighborhoods.

“For far too long, the shortage of overnight parking for truck drivers in New York City has forced trucks to park in areas where they shouldn’t be,” said Zach Miller, vice president of government affairs for the Trucking Association of New York (TANY). “This problem has been exacerbated by next-day and same-day demand and strict federal Hours-of-Service regulations. This creates an unsafe environment for both drivers and the surrounding communities. We want to thank City Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, and the bill’s co-sponsors for their commitment to advancing commonsense solutions to address existing challenges around overnight truck parking.”

With this new mandate, truck drivers will soon have better access to secure, legal parking options, helping reduce the challenges caused by overnight parking shortages.

Building on the Success of the Overnight Truck Parking Pilot

The legislation builds on the foundation laid by NYC DOT’s Overnight Truck Parking Pilot. This program, which introduced metered parking within industrial business zones, demonstrated the potential of structured overnight parking to improve freight logistics across the city. The pilot served as a testing ground, paving the way for this larger-scale solution.

The program aims to enhance resource efficiency by designating parking spaces for commercial trucks in areas already zoned for industrial purposes. According to industry experts, this approach holds the promise of optimizing freight movement while simultaneously lessening the negative impact on non-industrial neighborhoods.

“Trucks are the backbone of the New York City economy—responsible for transporting almost 90% of goods—but there is only one parking space for every 11 trucks in the U.S. and even worse in dense urban areas such as New York City,” Miller said. “Providing a safe place to park is not just a kind gesture; it has the power to improve efficiency, reduce costs for drivers, and preserve neighborhoods. It’s a simple change that helps the entire city run better—and we commend our city leaders for working to make this a reality.”

Benefits Beyond the Trucking Industry

This change isn’t just a win for truck drivers—it benefits New York’s economy and local communities, too. By providing legal and accessible parking, the legislation seeks to enhance the overall safety and quality of life in neighborhoods historically affected by trucks parked in unauthorized areas. Fewer trucks parked on residential streets will mean reduced overnight noise and increased safety for pedestrians.

Additionally, improving parking options for truck drivers can lead to gains in supply chain efficiency, potentially resulting in cost savings that ripple through to consumers. Delivered goods may arrive faster and more reliably, contributing to heightened economic activity.

A Long-Awaited Move Forward

The lack of adequate truck parking has long been a pain point for the transportation industry, both in New York and nationwide. With federal Hours-of-Service regulations requiring drivers to rest for specific periods, finding a safe, legal place to park has become overwhelming in densely populated urban areas.

Industry leaders are optimistic that this legislation will set a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges. The collaboration between the NYC Council, NYC DOT, and advocates like the Trucking Association of New York demonstrates the kind of cooperative action necessary for tackling complex urban issues.

What Lies Ahead

With the passage of this legislation, the next step involves the NYC Department of Transportation’s official rollout of overnight parking zones. Stakeholders will be watching closely to ensure the program’s success and its alignment with community needs.

This policy marks a meaningful step toward solving the truck parking shortage, with wide-ranging benefits for drivers, city residents, and the local economy. It’s proof that smart urban planning can create win-win solutions when all voices are heard and considered.

Source: The Trucker

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According to a recent news release, TANY will introduce a Fleet Safety Training Program, FOCUS, targeting small and mid-sized fleet operators and drivers.

“This collaboration builds on the success of the program in fostering safe and efficient fleet operations and represents a significant step towards enhancing safety cultures,” the news release stated.

The FOCUS on Fleet Safety Training Program, TSR’s flagship safety initiative, empowers independent fleet operators to cultivate a robust safety culture by leveraging expertise and best practices from TSR’s network of leading fleets and technology firms.

“Safety is a top priority across the trucking industry — and FOCUS on Fleet Safety Training is part of an active effort to ensure New York drivers, roads, and communities are as protected as possible,” said Kendra Hems, president of TANY. “The program will provide drivers with the tools and training necessary for a career on the road and allow for operators of every size to build a culture of safety that goes above and beyond compliance. We are thrilled to continue this work with Together for Safer Roads and look forward to working with our members for a safer New York.”

This program revolves around three core pillars: Training and Development, Safety Leadership, and Technology, offering executive coaching and pre- and post-benchmarking assessments.

Now, TSR, in conjunction with TANY, aims to extend this vital training program to fleet operators and drivers in New York State, tailoring solutions to address their specific challenges and requirements.

“Small–to-mid-size fleets account for roughly 97% on the road,” said Peter Goldwasser, executive director of TSR. “We are proud to partner with the Trucking Association of New York on this expansion of the FOCUS on Fleet Safety Training Program, reaffirming our commitment to saving lives and creating safer roads in New York State while gaining valuable insights that can help continue to expand this program to fleets across the country.”

TSR and TANY are currently identifying fleets to participate in the inaugural FOCUS cohort. Companies interested in joining or seeking further information are urged to reach out to Zach Miller (zach@nytrucks.org).

Jessica Whitaker, co-founder of fleet safety company Qworky, collaborating with TANY on this initiative, emphasized the paramount importance of safety for New York fleet operators.

“Qworky is proud to be working with TANY and TSR to implement the FOCUS program to empower small and mid-size fleet operators across New York State with the resources, knowledge and support required to meet and exceed the highest standards of safety,” she said.

Source: The Trucker

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