TMTA Safety Management Council>

The Safety Management Council (SMC) consists of fleet safety personnel and law enforcement representatives.  The council sponsors a variety of activities to educate its members about new developments in safety, and encourages professional driving to promote a better public image for the trucking industry.  These activities include:

Safety Seminars and Meetings — Full statewide council meetings are held twice annually, at a Spring seminar in April and a Fall seminar in September.

The Cooperative Road Patrol Program — This council program is part of the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) national effort to regulate and improve the behavior of truck drivers on the highway.  Patrol members are provided with forms which they fill out when they witness a truck driver speeding or driving improperly.  Members also recognize commendable driving.  Each report is recorded by TMTA who then forwards the information to the safety director of the driver's company for possible disciplinary or complimentary action.

Driver of the Year — Each year the TMTA Safety Management Council sponsors a Driver of the Year Award.  The recipient of this award is chosen from some of the best truck drivers operating in >Texas.  After being nominated by their companies, the drivers are rated in categories such as number of miles traveled without a chargeable accident, consistency, politeness on the road, and tenure.  The TMTA Driver of the Year then represents TMTA in ATA's competition for the National Driver of the Year title.

Regional and State Truck Driving Championships — This project of the TMTA Safety Management Council, the Local Safety Councils and the TMTA Fleet Maintenance Council seeks to promote safety and professionalism among commercial drivers.  Four regional championships and one statewide championship are held each spring with drivers qualifying for national competition.  Drivers are tested on their ability to maneuver and control their vehicles under a number of difficult test situations.

Distinguished Safety Award — This award is presented each year to the safety director recognized as making outstanding contributions to the field of safety.  A ring, jacket,  lapel pin, and a plaque are presented to the recipient at TMTA's Annual Conference in July. 

Truck Safety Awards — Each year SMC recognizes the fleets of TMTA member companies which developed dignified professional driving performance in the trucking industry.  These state winners, judged by the company's lowest overall accident frequency experience rates, are presented trophies and plaques in recognition of their achievement.

For more information on SMC activities, contact Lance Shillingburg, Vice President of Member Relations at 1-800-727-7135.