Volvo Trucks North America will continue as the sole sponsor of America’s Road Team in 2011.

This trucking industry safety outreach program uses professional drivers with outstanding driving records to deliver messages about highway safety and why trucking is essential.

The continuation of Volvo’s sponsorship was announced at the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition in Phoenix.

“All of us at Volvo Trucks are very proud to continue as the sole sponsor America’s Road Team,” said Ron Huibers, Volvo Trucks North America senior vice president of sales and marketing, in a written press statement. “We believe this is one of the most important and effective highway safety efforts out there.”

America’s Road Team is a program founded by the ATA. The members of the team are known as Captains, many of whom may have millions of miles of accident-free driving in their careers. They undergo a rigorous selection process to become part of the Road Team.

The Captains are frequently referred to as ambassadors for the U.S. trucking industry. Each year, they speak to hundreds of groups of lawmakers, government officials, students, regulators and other truck drivers. Their presentations include safe driving tips and highway safety information, much based upon their own experiences, as well as the importance of trucking to the American economy.

The Captains frequently use a Volvo VN tractor, donated by Volvo Trucks, to pull a trailer extensively outfitted as a mobile presentation facility, allowing them to more effectively deliver their messages wherever they go.

“The Road Team Captains are out there every day, talking to everyone from members of Congress to school kids,” Huibers continued in the press statement. “Our industry couldn’t ask for better ambassadors.”