Ryder System, Inc. announced this week it is partnering with Instructional Technologies, Inc. (ITI) of Vancouver, WA to host, market and distribute an Internet version of ITI's interactive driver training program called TREAD-1.
The program, which will be marketed under the name Ryder Pro-TREAD, is designed for Ryder customers, drivers and the transportation industry, and is available through www.rydersafetyservices.com. The program is designed to provide new and experienced drivers with training in 39 critical areas, including defensive driving, skid control, backing and docking, driver wellness, driver qualifications and hours of service. According to E. Bruce Weiss, executive v.p. of ITI, the curriculum also includes the new federally required Entry-Level lessons. The hours of service, defensive driving and log book lessons are also now available in Spanish.
"Safety is a core value at Ryder, and because of this commitment, we continually look for ways to make our highways safer for our families and communities," said Scott Gates, gm of Ryder Fleet Products. "We needed a quality driver training program for our customers, drivers and the transportation industry that would be offered on the Internet. Since we had past success with ITI's TREAD-1 program, it was only natural for us to collaborate with them for this online version. We expect that Ryder Pro-TREAD will help train drivers to use safety best practices and strengthen a company's risk management profile."
ITI began in 2000 and has more than doubled revenues every year since, according to Weiss. Today, many of the nation’s top fleets are ITI customers.
[Editor’s note: TREAD-1 is also available through Fleet Owner Magazine. Contact Rory Walker at 800-880-0368 for more information.]