At the WasteExpo refuse industry show coming up June 9- 10 in Las Vegas, Mack Trucks will again sponsor a “driving skills safety challenge” open to any driver at least 18 years of age with a valid commercial drivers license (CDL) who can show proof of operator training and registration for the convention.
This year’s event will include individual and team competitions (two drivers per team), at the wheel of either a Mack TerraPro low entry or cCabover model oven a closed course set up to simulate actual refuse-route conditions. Operators must complete a pre-operation safety check and successfully navigate the skills course – with each individual getting one attempt and scoring based on accuracy and adherence to safety procedures.
“Refuse industry drivers make a critical contribution to safety every day as they travel crowded urban streets or make thousands of pickups on neighborhood roads,” said Michael Reardon, Mack vp of marketing. “It takes real skill and awareness to be safe and productive in this type of operation. We designed this competition to highlight the professionalism of refuse truck drivers.”
He noted Mack plans to give away more than $15,000 in prizes during the two-day competition to the top three finishers in the individual competition, as well as to each operator in the top three two-person team challenge. Prizes will include:
- First Place: $500 gift certificate, a GPS navigation display, watch, and sunglasses
- Second Place: $300 gift certificate and a Mack Citizen Eco-Drive watch
- Third Place: $100 gift certificate and a chrome Mack Bulldog
Also, every contestant will receive a Mack hat, money clip, duffel bag and a thermos with case.
