The highway heroes search is on!

Hollard launched the 2018 Highway Heroes competition in Sandton on Friday, April 20, to search for the best truck drivers in the country.

The competition is in its fourth year, although this is the first year it has been branded by Hollard, which aims to get more drivers involved.

“They deliver virtually every commodity and product that we need, want and use, and without them our economy cannot function.”

Dangerfield says that truck drivers are met with various obstacles on the roads, such as hijacking and looting. “Their lives are constantly under a threat, due to criminal activities,” he says.

“Following last year’s rebranding, the format of Highway Heroes has changed. Unlike in the past, where there was only one winner, there will now be four categories: tautliners, tankers, tippers and flat decks.

Each of these categories will have four sub-categories: long haul, short haul, cross border and route specific,” he adds.

Fleet owners and brokers can enter their drivers for nominations for the Highway Heroes competition from May 1 to July 31.

Nash Omar, GM of broker markets at Hollard, adds: “We also want ordinary people to look at truck drivers with fresh eyes, and recognise them for the Highway Heroes they are.

“So, the next time you’re out on the road and a truck is slowing you down, remember that you’re following in the tracks of a hero. Give him a friendly wave as you pass by. This simple gesture will require so little of you, and yet mean so much to him.”

The overall Highway Heroes winner will take home R100 000 in cash and prizes, which is an increase of 25 percent on the 2017 prize. The other three category winners will walk away with R25 000 in cash and prizes.

The remaining six of the top ten entrants each pocket R2 500. The fleet owners of the overall and category truck driver winners will receive R5 000 towards a braai for their drivers.