Page 35 - ATR 4 2015 web

decades before getting involved. “I was years and years of driving, you can get yourself in that predicament to not be
in the waiting room before the driv- a little complacent. Competing kind of able to compete.
ing portion and they found out I was a brings the edge back and gets you ready “Competing,” Hall said, “makes
rookie and started giving me pointers,” to drive and be safe out there.” you think on a higher level.”
Tyler said. “Technically it’s a competi- It’s no different for technicians. That exchanging of ideas goes
tion, but I think most everyone is there “Drivers are entrusted with the beyond the drivers and technicians,
to have that experience.” safety of everyone on the highway,” though. The Arkansas Trucking
“I wish every truck driver had the Martin said. “But so is every technician Championship also plays host to an
opportunity to do something like this who works on that truck. Because if you Arkansas Highway Police competition
because it puts you back to being every- don’t do it to the best of your knowl- and a Safety Compliance Challenge.
thing you’re supposed to be as a profes- edge, if it isn’t up to the standards, if it “Having them all there—safety
sional driver. Even though you do it for isn’t done perfectly—you’re putting lives directors, drivers, safety enforcement—
years and years, that can create compla- at risk with every car that passes that it’s a thing to see,” Brust said. “It’s quite
cency. This kills complacency.” truck.” different than when you see them on
As Martin learned from his prede- Hall agrees. And with his self- the side of the road together. It’s an
cessors—it’s all about safety. It takes a professed addiction to the trucking amazing thing to be a part of, and I feel
significant time commitment to study, championship, avoiding accidents is also very fortunate.”
to practice, to attend the competition, essential to scratching that itch.
but, Brust said, “Learning from the “I don’t put myself above anybody Taking priDe in yOur wOrk
experience, if you can prevent an acci- else there because I think they’re all safe Just being willing to compete in
dent or save a life, then it’s worth the drivers,” Hall said. “Competing makes the Trucking Championship is pretty
time and effort. you more aware when you’re going remarkable. Try to imagine a nose-to-
“After the competition, they have down the road—more conscientious. nose challenge by your co-workers—
a different mentality,” Brust continued. One wreck and you’re out the competi- people you’ve known for years—to
“You can be a good driver, but after tion next year so you don’t want to put 

arkansas Trucking repOrT | issue 4 2015 35