For more than two years, RAMP Media Group – publishers of Over the Road and Pro Trucker along with Inside Trucking Online – has been reporting extensively on the issue of drivers’ health and the pressing need for the industry to do something about helping the nation’s drivers improve their failing physical condition. Now RAMP has taken its health-oriented initiative a step further by becoming a charter sponsor of the new national trucking industry association dedicated to helping over-the-road professionals get healthy and live longer lives. 

The Healthy Trucking Association of America (HTAA) is a non-profit organization devoted to improving the health of our country’s drivers and trucking fleets. The HTAA’s mission statement sums it all up: “A nationwide, non-profit association formed to provide drivers with the resources they need to live healthier and longer lives, and to provide trucking companies with resources to assist their drivers with healthier lifestyles and help protect their companies from the liability generated by unhealthy drivers.”

“We are convinced that being a part of HTAA offers our drivers an opportunity to be proactive at living a healthier, more productive lifestyle,” says Wayne Cederholm of C.R. England, a Charter Member Fleet of HTAA. “We are proud to be offering this benefit and being part of something that is critical to keeping America's truckers doing what they do best – delivering America’s freight.”

HTAA offers free in-terminal screening for hypertension, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and diabetes to its member drivers and to all the drivers employed by its member fleets. HTAA also offers in-terminal flu shots, smoking cessation campaigns and a free program for lowering high blood pressure.

“The HTAA is exactly what our industry has needed so desperately for so long – an organization dedicated to drivers’ health,” says Brett Blowers, one of the key organizers of the HTAA. “Many of the nation’s finest fleets have already lined up in support of the HTAA and its mission. The support and positive response we have received is very encouraging and greatly appreciated.”

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, HTAA provides member drivers with a number of ways to improve their health on their own, such as free on-line healthy training and weight loss consultation, along with substantial discounts on a variety of healthy products and services, including prescription drugs, vitamins, health club memberships, hearing and vision aids, dietary supplements and group insurance. HTAA also provides a free health line that connects callers directly to a nurse that can be used by HTAA member drivers and their families 24 hours a day, whether it’s a driver with a health problem on the road or a family member who needs to talk with a nurse about a sick child while their spouse is on the job.

“HTAA is the first organization that has developed a comprehensive program to benefit the drivers with discount programs, health insurance, disability insurance and family support with access to a health professional 24 hours a day,” says Steve Cox of Graebel Van Lines, another Charter Member Fleet of HTAA. “We believe this association will only improve over time, becoming an even better resource for improving the lives of our drivers and families.”

The HTAA also understands the needs of trucking companies. The HTAA is enlisting trucking fleets as members and as active participants on their Fleet Advisory Board to provide input and insight on the benefits and services trucking companies need in order to be able to help their drivers and protect their businesses. At the first-ever HTAA Healthy Trucking Summit Conference held at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta in February, representatives of some of America’s largest and most influential fleets met and worked together with the HTAA to address the health crisis that is currently plaguing the trucking industry.

RAMP Media Group applauds the efforts of the Healthy Trucking Association of America and the cooperation of its sponsors, members and Fleet Advisory Board. Our nation’s drivers cannot overcome the lack of good health inherent in their jobs without receiving assistance from health experts and cooperation and understanding from the trucking companies for which they drive. RAMP encourages all trucking companies and truck drivers to become a part of the Healthy Trucking Association of America – because good health is good business!

For more information about the HTAA, log on to HealthyTruckingAssociation.org.

HTAA Charter Member Fleets (as of March 15): C.R. England, Graebel Van Lines, Greatwide, Koch Trucking, LinkAmerica, Marten Transport, NFI, Trimac, UTSI.